THE OTHER SIDE OFKANSAS Long Arm of Alaska RVing and Taxesd7wompu62zbx1.cloudfront.net/digitaleditions/highways/2121895_Di… · 2 Highways FEBRUARY 2011 table of contents 3 WHERE

THE GOOD SAM CLUB • www.goodsamclub.comTHE GOOD SAM CLUB • www.goodsamclub.com

FEBRUARY 2011 FEBRUARY 2011

THE OTHER SIDE OF

KANSASTake a road trip along the Santa Fe Trail

RVing and TaxesCalculating the payoffs and pitfalls

Long Arm of AlaskaGet a handle on the Kenai Peninsula

Action LineRV advocacy

Tech TopicsRV troubleshooting

Find Good SamRV photo contest

+

http://www.goodsamclub.com

www.goodsamclub.comtable of contentsHighways FEBRUARY 20112

3 WHERE TO GO ONLINE

4 ON THE ROAD

5 DEAR GOOD SAM

10 GOOD NEWS

13 RV INSIGHT

15 CAMP CUISINE

16 TECH TOPICS

32 CLUB EVENTS

35 ACTION LINE

39 GOOD STUFF

41 CLASSIFIEDS

43 ADVERTISER INDEX

44 WHERE’S GOOD SAM?

February 2011VOLUME 45, NUMBER 2www.goodsamclub.com

10

22

contents

ON THE COVER: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Photograph by Ron and Eva Stob.

26

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GOOD SAM CLUB

22 CROSSING KANSASMotorists have a tendency to dash across the Great Plains on I-70, but then they miss all the good stuff. Drive the blue highways instead. BY RON AND EVA STOB

26 ALASKA UNCORKEDToast the beauty of the Last Frontier on the Seward and Sterling highways, scenic gateways to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. BY TOM WATSON

30 SEVEN TAX SURVIVAL TIPSWith April 15 just around the corner, we take a look at the payoffs and pitfalls RVers face at tax time. BY MARTIN SHENKMAN



http://www.goodsamclub.com/


Fine Dining

Gourmet HQ

Luxurious. Livable. And unlike any Itasca you’ve ever seen.The stunningly redesigned exterior of the all-new Ellipse®

42QD is surpassed only by its breathtaking interior. The extendable sectional sofa provides true residential comfort and ideal seating for the home theater system and optional fi replace; the gourmet-worthy galley withavailable Maytag residential refrigerator is sure to inspire; the mid-coach half-bath is perfect for guests; while the master bedroom suite with bath provides a spacious private retreat at day’s end.

Built on the 400-hp or 450-hp* Maxum® Freightliner® chassis, our fl agship coach has performance to spare — and storage to match. Make every journey the trip of a lifetime: See all four new Ellipse models at your nearest Itasca dealer, or visit GoItasca.com to see our innovative 2011 lineup.

Master Bath

Romantic Date Night Theater

©20

10 W

inne

ba

go

Ind

ustri

es, I

nc.

Learn more at GoItasca.com or call 1.800.643.4892.

*400-hp initial production, 450-hp with 2010 EPA emissions running line change Fall 2010

PRESIDENT AND CEO/AFFINITYMike SchneiderPRESIDENT/AFFINITY CLUBSJoe DaquinoMEMBER BENEFITS DIRECTORSusan BrayGOOD SAM CLUB SAMBASSADORSRosemary Bates-RanksBill and Esthermay BrooksGerri HoworthEd JamesTom and Nancy KillmerPatty and Dave MorgenDon and Helen Woodard

EDITORIALEDITORIAL DIRECTOR/CLUB MEDIAValerie LawEDITORJohn SullawayTECHNICAL EDITORBob LivingstonART DIRECTORDonna SchmidtASSOCIATE ART DIRECTORSteve AverillASSOCIATE EDITORMeaghan AlfierEDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTBetty AbramsonASSISTANTBill Garner

[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]/highwayswww.goodsamclub.com/highways/digitaledition

PRODUCTIONVP/PRODUCTION DIRECTORBob DawsonAD PRODUCTION MANAGERBrenda Hu tchinsonPREPRESS SPECIALISTGerald VandiverDIGITAL IMAGE SPECIALISTRobert PetersonFULFILLMENT MANAGERMelissa Vizzo

ADVERTISINGVP/ADVERTISING DIRECTORTerry ThompsonADVERTISING MANAGERDenielle [email protected] AD DIRECTORChuck Lasley574-295-7820

FLORIDAADVERTISING SALESTacy Hendershot-Sargent772-288-0387Lou Cicirelli954-205-9721SEATTLENATIONAL ADVERTISING Scott OakesJohn Marciano206-283-9545DETROITADVERTISING SALESScott [email protected] DEALER SALESADVERTISING SALESKathy DresserRV MARKETPLACE AND CLASSIFIEDS MANAGERSue SeidlitzCLASSIFIED SALESJoyce Reweda805-667-4100 [email protected]

GOOD SAM CLUB HEADQUARTERS2575 Vista Del Mar DriveVentura, California 93001805-667-4100 www.goodsamclub.com

GOOD SAM CLUB MEMBER SERVICES64 Inverness Drive E.Englewood, Colorado 80112800-234-3450www.goodsamclub.com

CHANGE OF ADDRESSGood Sam ClubP.O. Box 421094Palm Coast, Florida 32142

COPYRIGHT © 2011 BY AFFINITY GROUP, INC. IN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

THE GOOD SAM CLUB

www.GoodSamClub.com

www.facebook.com/thegoodsamclub

www.twitter.com/thegoodsamclub

www.therally.com

SIGN UP FOR HIGHWAYS DIGITAL-ONLY DELIVERY (DON’T FORGET TOSIGN IN ON THE WEBSITE FIRST):www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral/highwaysdigitalsignup.aspx

Can Highways be read on the iPad or iPhone?

APP-SOLUTELY!All you need to read the digital editions of Highwayson an iPad, iPhone or iPodTouch is a PDF-viewer app.We suggest GoodReader.

New! HighwaysDigital Option


mailto:[email protected]







http://www.goodsamclub.com/highways

http://www.goodsamclub.com/highways/digitaledition






http://www.GoodSamClub.com

http://www.therally.com


http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodreader-for-ipad/id363448914?mt=8

http://www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral/highwaysdigitalsignup.aspx

http://www.twitter.com/thegoodsamclub

http://www.facebook.com/thegoodsamclub

http://goitasca.com/


Unless you live in a large city and refuse to leave, chances are, you’ve experienced

the beauty and outdoor opportunities found inour national forests. In fact, North Americansand overseas visitors enjoy 173 million recre-

ation adventures in U.S. nationalforests each year, with an additional300 million visits made to desig-nated scenic byways and other roadsthrough these areas to view wildlife,spring flowers, fall colors and woodedlandscapes.

The U.S. Forest Service bears the responsibility of managing national

forests for a diverse group of interests. As anagency within the U.S. Department of Agricul-ture, the focus traditionally has been on man-aging various ecosystems and controlling theamount of logging and other industries allowedto operate within the Forest Service’s 191 million acres of public lands.

The Forest Service’s new slogan is “100Years of Caring for the Land and the People.”Historically, the agency hasn’t emphasized“the people,” at least not in terms of develop-ing the vast number of potential recreationalopportunities available on its lands. But we atGood Sam believe that it’s time for the ForestService to start paying more attention to thepeople and invest more resources for provid-

ing and maintaining outdoor opportunities for visitors.

The Forest Service is now finalizing its newPlanning Rule. While that may not sound like a big deal to many of us, it’s extremely impor-tant because it sets the direction for theagency’s future, serving as the guide for man-aging and developing operations in years tocome. The plans specified in this documentwill have a direct impact on the resources that are allocated to encourage, orhinder, your access to our nationalforests in recreational vehicles.

Unfortunately, the initial proposedparameters of the Planning Ruledidn’t place much emphasis on recre-ation, despite public comments andrequests from many in the recreationcommunity. This omission appears tobe in conflict with a number of initia-tives by the Obama administration designed to increase outdoor activities for Americans,thereby encouraging healthy lifestyles and reducing obesity, particularly in children.

Late last year, Good Sam joined with otherrecreational groups to send a letter and partici-pate in a meeting with Tom Tidwell, chief of theForest Service, to express our concerns overthe lack of emphasis on recreation. (Go towww.goodsamclub.com/usfs to read the let-

ter.) Recreation is a clearly mandated use ofnational forests under various laws, and it’salso a large economic contributor to manycommunities located near national foreststhroughout the United States.

We asked that the Forest Service be moreproactive in managing their recreational op-portunities, and when appropriate to seekout partners who can help them manage and enhance recreational activities on theirlands. In November, we also were able to persuade 41 members of Congress to sign a letter to Tidwell stating that the PlanningRule must not impose new, burdensome regulations on the Forest Service that wouldreduce recreational opportunities.

The draft of the Forest Service’s PlanningRule will probably be published this month,and the agency hopes to finalize it by Novem-ber 2011. During the year, Forest Service offi-cials will be inviting public comments. Weexpect that there will be ample opportunitiesfor you, our members, to offer your opinions on the importance of recreation.

We’ll keep you posted on all developments,both in Highways and on our website.

ONtheroadBY SUE BRAY

nline...Sue Bray is member benefitsdirector of the Good Sam Club.Read previous columns atwww.goodsam club.com/highways.

Forest ServiceFeedbackThe U.S. Forest Serv-ice is inviting com-ments and hostingpublic meetings inresponse to its newPlanning Rule. Visitwww.fs.fed.us to keep postedon opportunities to give your feedback. Don’t missthis chance to help makenational forests more RV-friendly.

Out of the WoodsWe’re doing our part to enhance recreation on public lands

We persuaded 41members of Congressto sign a letter to theForest Service chief.

http://www.goodsamclub.com/usfs

http://www.fs.fed.us



www.goodsamclub.com/highways

In Print and OnlineTHANKS FOR Highways’ digital edition each month,including the December all-digital bonus issue. Welove the digital format. It makes it so much easierto read the magazine online.

Ken and Lee Marks, LIVINGSTON, TEXAS

AS A LIFE MEMBER of the GoodSam Club and a citizen con-cerned about the environment,I’d like to opt out of receivingHighways in the mail. Instead, I’dlike to read the online version.This will cut down on paper useand recycling and postage costs.

Tony Skells, WATERLOO, ONTARIO

I ELECTED to receive the digitalversion of Highways by mistake. I wanted to try the digital version

but I’d still like to receive my paper copy. I’mtrying to reverse my choice without success.

Can you help me, please?Micheline Di Pietro, MONTREAL, QUÉBEC

WOULD IT BE possible to switch back to the papercopy of Highways magazine? My eyes and I arehaving a hard time reading the digital edition onmy computer.

Roy Brotherton, MANCHESTER, TENNESSEE

To select the digital-only Highways delivery option orrevert to receiving the printed magazine in the mail,log on to www.goodsamclub.com and click on MyProfile in the upper-right corner. Select My Commu-nication Preferences, scroll down to Highways Mag-azine Digital Issues and click on—or off—the “Onlysend digital issues of Highways” box. Whether

nline...E-mail your letters to [email protected] more commentsfrom Good Sam mem-bers and send lettersto the editor online atwww.goodsamclub.com/highways.

DEARgoodsam

SIMPLE PLANSNo contracts, no surprises—ever. You can change your plan or add family members any time. And every plan is backed by a 30-days or 30-minutes money-back guarantee†.

AFFORDABLE RATESPlans start as low as $10/month, with no hidden charges or penalties. All minutes are the same cost, every day and everywhere. And free, automated Usage Alerts let you know when you are close to exceeding your plan’s limits.

TOP-QUALITY PHONESGet free or low-cost phones from the world’s leading makers, including Web-browsing and texting phones, and phones with cameras and music. Free shipping and free recycling, too.

COAST-TO-COAST COVERAGEOur service covers just about everywhere in the U.S., wherever you want to be.

HASSLE-FREE SERVICEOur top-ranked U.S.-based customer service team will help you get started and make sure you select the best phones and plans for your needs.

More freedom. More control. Less money.

With Consumer Cellular,® it’s your call.Who says wireless phone service has to be complicated and expensive? While other companies try to tie you down with long-term contracts and pricey, off-the shelf calling plans, Consumer Cellular has eliminated the contracts and lowered the cost to make wireless phone service simple and affordable. The way it should be.

CALL 1.888.750.5130 or CLICK www.ConsumerCellular.com/130* Requires new service activation on approved credit and $35 activation fee. Retail buyers pay $35 activation fee upon purchase of phone. Phone price after instant rebate applied

at time of purchase. Certain models are free beyond activation fee. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Phones are limited to stock on hand. Terms and Conditions subject to change. †If you’re not satisfied within 30 days or 30 minutes of usage, whichever comes first, cancel and pay nothing, no questions asked.

Doro PhoneEasy®

410GSM

Samsung A177

FREE!* Motorola w259

Ratesas low as$10a month!



http://www.ConsumerCellular.com/130



www.goodsamclub.com/highways


1GPS device sold separately. To share your route to your other GPS devices you must exportvia a GPX fi le to a GPX-compatible GPS device. Not all GPS devices are supported.

2The NPD Group/U.S. Retail Tracking May 1999-August 2010.

Your private lake, found by Microsoft Streets & Trips.We may call it “Point of Interest #345,789” but you’ll call it heaven. With more than 1.9 million points of interest, no wonder Microsoft® Streets & Trips is America’s best-selling travel and mapping software. Get directions to just about anywhere in the U.S. and Canada with no Internet required. Microsoft Streets & Trips even remembers your driving preferences and will suggest routes and rest stops. You can even share your routes to a GPS device.1 So fi nd that perfect lake with that perfect sunset; we won’t tell anybody where it is… except you.

Find out why America has made Microsoft Streets & Trips the #1 best-selling travel and map software for 11 years straight.2

Try it FREE for 60 days! www.microsoft.com/streets/openroad

DEARgoodsamyou’ve opted for digital-only delivery of Highways or not, you can read the enhanced online editions of the magazineanytime at www.goodsamclub.com/highways/digitaledition. Remember to sign in on the website first.—Editors

More Tire TalkRECENTLY, WHEN MY 14-foot single-axleenclosed motorcycle trailer needed tires,I decided it was easier to remove themand take them, along with the wheels, tothe tire store. I went to a name-brandtire store and service center and pur-chased major-brand tires. When the jobwas completed, I commented to themanager about the fact that they obvi-

ously hadn’t needed any wheel weights,to which he replied, “Nobody bothers to balance trailer tires. It’s a waste oftime.” I promptly informed him that I hadabsolutely no problem wasting my timewhile he balanced them, which he did,begrudgingly.

Today, as I was reading your excel-lent story in the November–Decemberissue about the seemingly dispropor-tionate number of tire failures on trail-ers, I couldn’t help but wonder if there might be some connection between those failures and the folkswho’d rather not be “wasting time” balancing them.

Greg Rager, LAKELAND, FLORIDA


http://www.microsoft.com/streets/openroad

http://www.goodsamclub.com/highways/digitaledition



http://kz-rv.com/

Highways FEBRUARY 20117

Imagine what you could do with a vehicle that has the spacious comfort and convenienceof a larger motorhome but with much better fuel economy and driveability. W hether

driving cross-country or just cross-town, enjoy the convenience of having your ownkitchen, bathroom, changeroom, family room and bedroom in a vehicle that fits

in a normal parking space and can be used as a second car.

To find out why Roadtrek is the #1 selling NorthAmerican class B motorhome (camper van), visit usat www.roadtrek.com/HHM or call us toll free at 1-888-ROADTREK (762-3873).

• 15 to 22 miles per gallon • Easy to drive & park, use everyday• Available in four-wheel-drive• Automotive styling (helps avoid RV parking

restrictions, keep it at home)• Seats up to 7• Comfortable to drive in • Comfortable to live in • Bathroom with shower • Separate eating & sleeping areas • Sleeps up to 4 • Up to king-size bed • 4 year/48,000 mile motorhome warranty

Fuel Efficient MotorhomesYou’ll Love to Drive.

www.goodsamclub.comtable of contents

ºBILL CREDIT/PROGRAMMING OFFER: Free Starz and SHOWTIME for 3 months, a value of $72. LIMIT ONE PROGRAMMING OFFER PER ACCOUNT. Featured package names and prices: CHOICE $58.99/mo.; CHOICE XTRA $63.99/mo. Upon DIRECTV System activation, customer will receive redemption instructions (included in customer’s fi rst DIRECTV bill, a separate mailing, or, in the state of New York, from retailer) and must comply with the terms of the instructions. In order to receive full $29 credit in fi rst 12 months, customer must submit rebate online and consent to email alerts prior to rebate redemption. Online redemption requires valid email address. Rebate begins 6-8 weeks after receipt of rebate submission online or by phone. Timing of promotional price depends on redemption date. In select markets, prices are higher. In order to receive $24 credit on the CHOICE package and above in fi rst 12 months in these markets, customer must provide valid email address at point of sale. IF BY THE END OF PROMOTIONAL PRICE PERIOD(S) CUSTOMER DOES NOT CONTACT DIRECTV TO CHANGE SERVICE THEN ALL SERVICES WILL AUTOMATICALLY CONTINUE AT THE THEN-PREVAILING RATES INCLUDING THE LEASE FEE(S). In certain markets, programming/pricing may vary. **24-MO. LEASE AGREEMENT: Must maintain 24 consecutive months of any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. or above) or qualifying international services bundle. DVR Service $7/mo. required for DVR and HD DVR lease. HD Access fee $10/mo. required for HD Receiver and HD DVR. Lease for fi rst two receivers $5/mo; additional receiver leases $5/mo. each. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EQUIPMENT LEASE ADDENDUM MAY RESULT IN A CHARGE OF $150 PER RECEIVER. IF SERVICE IS TERMINATED EARLY, A CANCELLATION FEE OF $20/MONTH REMAINING WILL APPLY. ALL EQUIPMENT IS LEASED AND MUST BE RETURNED TO DIRECTV UPON CANCELLATION, OR UNRETURNED EQUIPMENT FEES APPLY. VISIT directv.com OR CALL 1-800-DIRECTV FOR DETAILS. RECEIVER UPGRADES: Second advanced receiver offer requires activation of an HD DVR as the fi rst free receiver upgrade and subscription to Whole-Home DVR service ($3/mo.). Advanced receiver instant rebate requires activation of the CHOICE XTRA Package or above; MÁS ULTRA or above (for DVR Receiver, OPTIMO MÁS Package or above); Jadeworld; or any qualifying international service bundle, which shall include the PREFERRED CHOICE programming package (valued at $38.99/mo.). Additional advanced receiver upgrades available for a charge. INSTALLATION: Standard professional home installation only. Custom installation extra. ^RV SATELLITE KIT OFFER: Courtesy of Direct Sat TV with new residential home service activation and purchase of CHOICE programming or above. Includes satellite dish, travel tripod and 50’ of coaxial cable. HD dish will incur additional fees. Tripod for HD dish not available. Programming and pricing may vary for service in your RV. For service in RV, customer will receive NY Distant Network Signal, based on geographical location. LA Distant Network is available upon request and requires special hardware, which will incur additional fees. DNS waiver required. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Pricing residential. Taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in fi rst bill. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo, CHOICE and CHOICE XTRA are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

PACKAGES START AT JUST

FREEHome Installation

Offers end 4/30/11. *Prices include a $24 bill credit for 12 months after rebate, plus an additional $5 with online rebate and consent to email alerts. Eligibility based on service address. With 24-month agreement.** Credit card required (except in MA & PA). New approved customers only (lease required). Hardware available separately. Handling & Delivery fee may apply.

RV KITDish, Travel Tripod

& 50ft of cable^

Offer Ends 2/09/11. FREE RV Kit for new customers only. Available to existing customers at additional charge.

While supplies last. S/H fees will apply. Courtesy of Direct Sat TV.

FAMILY™ PACKAGE

/mo*

99.9% Signal Reliability

Over 200 of the Best HD Channels*

DVR Scheduler Ability to record your favorite show anytime, anywhere with DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler^

NASCAR HotPass™

When you order any DIRECTV Package

LIMITED TIME OFFERCall Now! 800-644-8134

DEARgoodsamI APPRECIATED the summary of theGood Sam Club’s survey of RVers andtheir tires in the November–Decemberissue. The main problem I run into isthat almost no one weighs wheels indi-vidually. All the experts in the various RVmagazines highly emphasize it. The onlyplace I’ve found with the equipment toget individual wheel weights is at a rallyattended by a group that teaches RV-safety classes.

Dealerships don’t provide it. CampingWorld doesn’t provide it. Truck stopsprovide axle weights only, which arehelpful but not specific enough. In thecase of our class A motorhome, the axle

weights are within limits, but when wedetermined individual wheel weights ata rally, the driver-side front wheel andthe passenger-side rear wheels were at or over the limits, due primarily to the two slide-outs being nearest thosewheels.

I’d like to suggest that Good Sam’sRV Owners’ Advisory Council strongly encourage RV dealerships and servicecenters to provide this service.

Bob Spangler, SOUTH FORK, COLORADO

E-mail your suggestions and feedback di-rectly to the RV Owners’ Advisory Councilat [email protected].—Editors

http://www.roadtrek.com/HHM




http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/index.jsp

21310E


DEARgoodsamMayberry MemoriesWE RECENTLY TRAVELED toMount Airy, North Carolina,the town that inspired May-berry of The Andy GriffithShow. We saw Floyd’s bar-bershop, Wally’s servicestation, the police depart-ment, Aunt Bea’s houseand more. We experiencedseveral hours of intenseflashbacks as we touredthe town and stores.

Lunch was at Snappy’sDiner. Everyone told us wehad to try the specialty,pork-cutlet sandwich, so we did. It’s a 6-inch-by-4-inch breaded and fried pork cutlet on a large roll, smothered in chili,coleslaw, onion and mus-tard. Not heart healthy, but it was great.

N. Longree, BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

RVing Pays OffSINCE WE STARTED RVINGin 1994, we’ve driven95,218 miles, camped1,139 nights, spent$15,986.05 on diesel fueland paid $15,962.28 incampground fees. Comparethat to the price of stayingat motels and eating out.

Ken Wright, POWELL, TENNESSEE

GS021BGS021B1B

February 3rd - 6th, 2011Thursday 1-9 • Friday & Saturday 10-9 • Sunday 10-5Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA

ENTER ONLINE TO WIN

$250 CASH!!www.BostonRVexpo.comOnline registration ends 2/6/11. Winner will be announced on 2/11/11.

Huge Selection of 2011 RVs from New England's Top Dealers!Diesel Pushers, Class A, Class B, Class C, Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, Park Models, Toy Haulers, and Pop-ups!!

• OVER 50 MFG’S & LINES!• FOOD & REFRESHMENTS!

• PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS!• BOOTHS & SEMINARS!

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THEKIDS & MUCH MORE!

HW

New Location!Seaport World Trade Center

http://www.BostonRVexpo.com



http://www.seaeagle.com/default.aspx

http://www.affinityrvshows.com

Learn more at GoWinnebago.com or call 1.800.643.4892

©2010 Winnebago Industries, Inc.

Extendable sofa Two bathrooms Spacious wardrobes

There’s never been a Vista® like the all-new 35F. The extendable sectional sofa provides instant seating for six (ideal for that 32" LCD TV with surround sound) while the bath-and-a-half brings a new level of comfort and convenience to you and your guests. Add a fully equipped galley, master bedroom with large wardrobe, even a 36" x 36" BIG shower and you’ll see why the new Vista 35F is knocking ‘em out everywhere.

The 35F is just one of fi ve Vista fl oorplans for 2011. See them — along with all our 2011 models — at your nearest dealer, or explore them online at GoWinnebago.com.

The lifestyle you love. Now with more style.


DEARgoodsamFacebook FansI WENT TO Alaska this past summer bycruise, but only sawthe southeast part, including Ketchikan,Juneau, Icy Strait Pointand Hubbard Glacier. There are just notenough hours for one location. I’d loveto go back.

Terri Jarvis

MAKE SURE YOU check out Dawson Cityon your way to or from Alaska. It’s in theYukon and is often referred to as what

people thought Alaska would be. Bill Holmes

MAKE SURE YOU see everything you possibly can. It will all blow you away.We’ve lived here nine years, and it neverceases to amaze me. Today we have 85mph winds in Wasilla and Palmer. Tem-peratures are between -10 to -30.

Lynne Schlumpf

Can’t get enough of Alaska? Check outour page 26 story on the state’s Sewardand Sterling highways along the KenaiPeninsula.—Editors

2/11

MORE GETAWAYSWITHGood Sam

Caraventures: 1-800-664-9145 • Samborees: 1-800-829-5140 • Cruises: 1-888-893-4628 • www.goodsamclub.com/tours

Calgary Stampede Canadian Rockies

BA

NFF

LA

KE

LOU

ISE

TOU

RIS

M

CA

LGA

RY

STA

MP

EDE

Mardi Gras SamboreeNew Orleans, LA • $2,987*March 1–9, 2011

Shelby American SamboreeLas Vegas, NV • $2,219*March 3–7, 2011

Cajun Country CaraventureNew Orleans, LA • $2,979*March 11–23, 2011

Fiesta San Antonio SamboreeSan Antonio, TX • $1,997*April 10–16, 2011

Calgary Stampede SamboreeCalgary, AB • $2,560*July 5–13, 2011

Canadian Rockies CaraventureCanmore, AB • $4,170*July 15–28, 2011

Nova Scotia CaraventureTrenton, ME • $3,405*July 17–30, 2011

National Parks CaraventureCody, WY • $3,399*July 22–August 9, 2011

Great Lakes CaraventureEgg Harbor, WI • $3,463*August 9–25, 2011

*All costs are based on one RV with two adults. Call or visit us online for additional pricing options.

Get AwayAlaska CaraventureDawson Creek, BC • $7,549*1] June 28–August 10, 2011 • 2] July 5–August 17, 2011

Experience an unforgettable adventure through theLast Frontier. This once-in-a-lifetime 43-day journeythrough Alaska is packed with excursions led byfully trained Good Sam Tour Directors. Highlightsinclude glacier cruises; tours of Denali NationalPark, the El Dorado Gold Mine, and a bear habitat;a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad; andcity tours of Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks, andDawson City. Travel with the Good Sam Club andtake in all the beauty that is Alaska.

Nova Scotia

http://www.goodsamclub.com/tours



http://gowinnebago.com/

EVENTS AND TOURS

Days of ThunderExperience NASCAR’s main event with the Good Sam Club

Watching stock cars roar across the track at 200 miles per hourranks as one of the most electrifying experiences in sports. Addthe pageantry and prestige of the Daytona 500, which brings 43top NASCAR drivers to Florida’s legendary Daytona InternationalSpeedway to navigate 31-degree banked turns, and you have amust-see motor-sports event.

Good Sam members will get the chance to experience thethrills of NASCAR’s premier event in style during the Daytona500 Samboree, February 14 through 21.

The tour includes reserved tickets in the Sprint tower for theNextEra Energy Resources 250 and the Drive4COPD 300 on Feb-ruary 13, the Gatorade Duel at Daytona on February 17 and theDaytona 500 on February 20. Participants also receive admit-tance to the fun-filled Spring Fanzone, which gives fans a chanceto observe mechanics and drivers as they get their vehicles intoracing shape. You can also stroll through the Goodyear Legendsof Daytona, honoring the great drivers and cars of the past.

Experienced tour directors will guide participants through everyturn at the Daytona event. Also included in the tour are sevennights of special reserved dry camping.

To sign up for the Daytona 500 Samboree, go to the websitebelow and select Events and Tours.www.goodsamclub.com/community

EDITED BY JOHN SULLAWAY


GOOD SAM PARKS

Perfect 10sFrom top: New York’s Villages atTurning Stone, Alabama’s Bella

Terra of Gulf Shores and Ore-gon’s Pheasant Ridge. Below,

Rayford Crossing in Texas.

GOOD SAM PARKS • EVENTS AND TOURS

• Bella Terra of Gulf Shores, Foley, Alabama• Camping Alouette, St. Mathieu-de-Beloeil, Québec• Camping La Clé Des Champs, St.-Philippe, Québec• Cajun Palms RV Resort, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana• Duck Creek RV Resort, Muskegon, Michigan• Evergreen Park RV Resort, Dunee, Ohio• Grand Casino Hinckley RV Resort, Hinckley, Minnesota• Jackson Rancheria RV Park, Jackson, California• Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada• Little River Casino RV Park, Manistee, Michigan• Mill Creek Ranch RV and Cottage Resort, Canton, Texas• Paragon Casino RV Resort, Marksville, Louisiana• Pheasant Ridge RV Resort, Wilsonville, Oregon• Premier RV Resorts–Redding, Redding, California• Rayford Crossing RV Resort, Spring, Texas• Rincon County East RV Resort, Tucson, Arizona• Seven Feathers RV Resort, Canyonville, Oregon• Silver Creek RV Resort, Silver Lake, Michigan• The Lakes RV and Golf Resort, Chowchilla, California• The Villages at Turning Stone, Verona, New York

For RV parks, a per-fect Trailer Life Directory ratingmeans scoring 10in three categories: 1. Completeness

of facilities2. Cleanliness and

physical character-istics of restroomsand shower (a ★indicates full points in cleanliness)

3. Visual appeal and environmental quality

To see the full list ofthe top 100 Good Sam Parks, visitwww.goodsamclub.com/travel/topparks.aspx

Think nobody’s perfect? Don’t tell that to the 20 Good Sam Parks thatearned flawless ratings in the 2011 Trailer Life RV Parks and Campgrounds

Directory. All of these parks have gone the extra mile to maintain high stan-dards in every area of park operation, from providing top-notch amenities tolush landscaping. As a result, they’ve scored perfect 10s in each of the threecategories judged by the directory’s campground evaluators.

Twenty Good Sam Parks score the ultimate rating

http://www.goodsamclub.com/community

http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/topparks.aspx




goodnews FACTORY DIRECT TO YOU!

How does Harbor Freight Tools sell high quality tools at such ridiculously low prices? We buy direct from the factories who also supply the major brands and sell direct to you. It’s just that simple! Come see for yourself at one of our 330 STORES NATIONWIDE and use this 20% OFF Coupon on any of our 7,000 products*. We stock Automotive products, Shop Equipment, Hand Tools, Tarps, Compressors, Air & Power Tools, Material Handling, Woodworking Tools, Welders, Tool Boxes, Outdoor Equipment,

Generators, and much more.

NOBODY BEATS OUR QUALITY,SERVICE AND PRICE!

20%20%OFFOFF ANY SINGLE ITEM!

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 1 Use this coupon to save 20% on any one single item purchased when you shop at a Harbor Freight Tools store. *Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on any of the following: prior purchases, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans, Compressors, Generators, Tool Cabinets, Welders, Floor Jacks, Campbell Hausfeld products, open box items, Parking Lot Sale items, Blowout Sale items, Day After Thanksgiving Sale items, Tent Sale items, 800 number orders, or online orders. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store in order to receive the offer. Valid through 5/25/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

OSCILLATING MULTIFUNCTION

POWER TOOL LOT NO.

67256

$2999 REG. PRICE

$59 .99

17 DIFFERENT ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE IN OUR STORES!SANDING

CUT METAL

CUT DRYWALL

CUT PLASTIC

CUT FLOORING

PLUNGE CUTTING

SCRAPE CONCRETE

$5999 REG. PRICE $99 .99

SUPER

COUPON!

Item 91039 shown

SAVE 50%

SAVE $130

SAVE $60

SAVE 46%

SAVE $60

SUPER

COUPON!

SAVE 66%

SAVE $40

SUPER

COUPON!

LOT NO. 91039/67408

3000 LB. CAPACITY LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM

RACING JACK

EASY WAYS TO SHOP!ET3 3. CALL!

1-800-423-25672. GO TO!

www.HarborFreight.com1. VISIT!

330 Stores Nationwide

Get More Coupons at HarborFreight.com

SUPER

COUPON!

$9999 REG. PRICE

$229 .99

LOT NO. 95659

580 LB. CAPACITY FOUR DRAWER ROLLER CART

45 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT

LOT NO. 90599

$14999

SUPER

COUPON!

REG. PRICE

$149.99

$8999 LOT NO. 98871

90 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER

NO GAS REQUIRED!

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$999 REG. PRICE $29 .99

12 VOLTMAGNETIC

TOWINGLIGHT KIT

Item 96933 shown

LOT NO.96933/67455

REG. PRICE

$139 .99

LOT NO. 98199

$7999

10" SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW

SAW BLADE INCLUDED

$799 REG. PRICE

$14 .99

3 PIECE TITANIUM NITRIDE COATED M2 HIGH SPEED

STEEL STEP DRILLS LOT NO.

91616

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 1This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 5/25/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.








SAVE $100

REG. PRICE $249 .99

√ Over 4.5 MILLION NEW CUSTOMERS in the Last 18 Months!√ NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY√ Family Owned & Operated√ We Will Beat Any Competitor's Price Within 1 Year of Purchase!

LIFETIME WARRANTYON ALL HAND TOOLS!

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLSQuality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices

SALE STARTS TODAY!

When it comes to RV parking rights,

knowledge is power. Takethe case of Rick andSharon Alm, Good Sammembers who almost ranafoul of the Las Cruces,New Mexico, city councilwhen local leaders con-sidered an ordinance re-

quiring RV pads to bemore than 5 feet fromproperty lines. The couplerealized that they andmany of their friendswould violate the law if it was passed, so he con-tacted Good Sam’s Park-ing Rights Council.

It was a smart move.

A Parking Rights Councilmember advised Rick thathe had “grandfather”rights. Using that informa-tion, Rick persuaded thecity council to drop the 5-foot-setback provision.

The Parking RightsCouncil can help you toowith legal insights and theability to mobilize mem-bers in your area. You cane-mail the Parking RightsCouncil at [email protected] or call800-880-0440.

To learn more, visit the website below and select RVer Rights. Youcan also check the RVParking database andorder the free RV ParkingRights Manual.www.goodsamclub.com/community

RVER’S RIGHTS

Defend YourParking RightsHassled by city hall? Contact GoodSam’s Parking Rights Council Rick and Sharon Alm


http://www.HarborFreight.com



http://guaranty.com/



goodnews

Order at SeaEagle.comor Call 1-800-748-8066

Dept GS011B (Mon-Fri, 9-5 EST)

Our 1 or 2 Person Adventure Kayak Our Sea Eagle 330 inflatable kayak makesadventure simple...simple to carry, simple toinflate, simple to paddle. Paddle wild rivers,remote ponds, scenic lakes... even ocean surf!The SE 330 packs to the size of a small dufflebag and can be carried anywhere. It is 11’ 2”long, weighs just 26 lbs., holds 500 lbs. andfeatures 2 very comfortable kayak seats, 2 skegsfor easy tracking, 7 deluxe air valves for easyinflation, drain valve, super rigid I-beam floor,spray skirts & carry handles.

ADVENTURE Made Simple!

19 N. Columbia St., Port Jefferson, NY 11777

WINTER SPECIAL: SAVE $50. - Our SE 330 Deluxe KayakPackage includes 2 7’ 10”’ aluminum paddles, 2 kayak seats, foot pump, nylon carry bag, instructionsand repair kit. Normally the Deluxe Package is $299.NOW THIS PACKAGE IS ONLY $249! But that’s not all, FREE SHIPPING, 6 Month Money Back Trial Guarantee & 3 Year Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects!

NowJust $249

Complete withFREE

SHIPPING!

FREE SHIPPINGto the 48 contiguous US

Visit us at Facebook.com/SeaEagleBoats

Good Sam members can immerse them-selves in all things RV—and have tons of fun in the process —by attending the12th annual Rally, July 14 through 17 inRedmond, Oregon.

Rally-goers can stroll through the hun-dreds of new RVs on display at the De-schutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center,then join the many fun-filled activities

held throughout the event. Rally organiz-ers make sure you won’t leave withoutenhancing your RV lifestyle. Scores ofseminars cover everything from enginemaintenance to Alaska travel. After sun-set, top entertainers takethe stage to perform popular music.www.therally.com

THE RALLY

Party Time in RedmondOREGON’S HIGH DESERT HOSTS THE 2011 RALLY

http://www.therally.com



http://www.seaeagle.com/default.aspx

http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/

http://bankspower.com/

Send your RV-lifestyle questionsto [email protected] read archived RV Insightcolumns, click on www.goodsamclub.com/highways. To post yourown RV-lifestyle tips, go to www.goodsamclub.com/community,click on Stories, then click on the Share a Story button.

nline...

BY JOE ANDVICKI KIEVA

RVinsight


booth, he advertises the product.

VICKI: Look like you’re there for the con-sumer. Stand near your counter or table. Wesee too many booth vendors who sit in a lawn chair at the rear of their booth, some-times with their nose in a book. We once sawa vendor sleeping on the floor. Their messageis clear: “I’m not interested in talking withyou.” If you must have a chair, use a stooland place it toward the front of your booth.Be accessible.

Remember why you’re there. We’ve seenvendors wander away from their booths to so-cialize with other vendors. You can’t wait oncustomers when you’re not there. On the otherhand, some vendors have too many peopleworking (or not working) in their booth. Thatcan be intimidating to the customers and dis-tracting to the booth workers. Too often, we’veobserved a half-dozen people socializing witheach other in a booth while customers were

JOE: Working a vendor’s booth, while it mayappear easy, is hard work. We’d suggest youwork in someone else’s booth for a few showsto gain some insight, even if you work for free.

Selling from a booth is a business. Be pre-pared for all the usual business considera-tions like initial investment in your product,display materials, booth-space rent, taxes, insurance and licenses plus living and travel-ing expenses.

Select shows that attract your targeted cus-tomers. An RV show, for example, attracts peo-

ple who’re interested enough in RVs and RVingto pay for parking and admission for theirwhole family. If you’re in the business of sell-ing RV accessories, an RV show or rally shouldsurround you with potential customers.

VICKI: Invest in an attractive display. Abooth vendor has only a second or two todraw someone’s attention, make a favorableimpression and attract potential customers totheir booth. Take a look at the professionals.

But visual appeal isn’t the only way to at-tract attention. It’s not unusual for vendors whosell pots and pans to use cooking aromas toturn heads their way. We were impressed withone lady who fried a mixture of garlic, onionsand peppers when things got slow. As soon asthose good smells had the attention of a few

people, she’d launch into acooking demonstration. Herspeaker system would thencapture those within hearingdistance.

JOE: Be imaginative. EveryRV show seems to have atleast a couple of booths sell-ing sunglasses. Competitionis keen. One imaginative

sunglasses vendor uses his dachshund todraw attention to his booth. The dog, wearinga baseball cap and sunglasses, sits quietly onan elevated stand and watches the crowd goby. The dog not only draws attention to the

Dear Joe and Vicki:You’ve mentioned thatmany RVers makemoney by sellingproducts at RV showsand rallies. Thethought of travelingand selling appeals tous. What’s involved in becoming a boothvendor at RV shows?

One sunglasses vendordraws attention to hisbooth by putting a base-ball cap and sunglasseson his dachsund.

Merchant of VendorsThe bottom line on doing business at RV shows and rallies







www.goodsamclub.comHighways FEBRUARY 201114

being ignored.Observe the Good Sam

Club Sambassadors whowork the Good Sam Clubbooth at RV shows andevents across the country.They know how to operatea vendor booth. They don’tlet anything distract themfrom their job. They under-stand that the purpose oftheir booth is to recruitand serve Good Sam Clubmembers. The Sambas-sadors, usually marriedcouples, look professionalby wearing matching shirtsor sweaters. They knowthe value of making eyecontact with passersbyand greeting them with asmile. They display inform-ative books on the counterto attract attention anddraw people to the booth.Interestingly enough, theGood Sam Club booths always seem busy.

Working a booth at ashow isn’t easy. But withthe right product, the rightattitude and a little bit of luck, you could do very well.

Visit Joe and Vicki Kieva’swebsite: www.rvknowhow.com

RVinsight

Name

Address

City

We Accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express & Debit

State

Phone

Zip

Amt

Maximum Entries Accepted: 4,000(If goal of 3,000 is not met, raffle will revert to a50/50 drawing.) Winning ticket will receive 50%of total after expenses. Void where prohibited.Winner will be flown to Lubbock, TX

Each Entry is $100.00

Father’s Day Drawing: June 19, 20116th Annual Drawing

Last Year’s Winner: Carol Jones, Albuquerque, NM

Winner will be flown to Lubbock, Texas and receive a:

2011 Entegra Aspire or $250,000 Cash

Donor must be 18 or older to enter. Rules available upon request. Call 740-446-2187. Send SASE to SLP Charities.

To enter send donation with application to: SLP Charities, PO Box 444, Gallipolis, OH 45631Web access: www.SLPCharities.org Postal money order required outside of U.S.A.▼ Return Label ▼ Print, Clip and Send with Donation ▼ State of Ohio certificate #1691960

Offered by SLP Charities. A 501- (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to education for children in Appalachia, including those with special needs.

Our partner:Youngblood RV, Mayfield, KYPharr RVs Inc., Lubbock, TX

WIN A 2011

ENTEGRA

ASPIRE

Dare to Dream!

table of contents

http://www.rvknowhow.com


http://www.SLPCharities.org


http://transferflow.com/

http://coachhouserv.com/

BY BOB BLUMER

To read previous recipes, go to www.goodsamclub.com/highways.

Bob Blumer is the creator and host ofthe Food Network TV shows The SurrealGourmet and Glutton for Punishmentand the author of seven cookbooks,available at www.bobblumer.com.When not at home in California, Bobtravels in his Toastermobile, an Air -stream trailer customized with a stain-less-steel professional kitchen andtopped with two 8-foot slices of toast.

CAMPcuisine


4 tablespoons butter

1 head broccoli, stem and all

2 carrots, peeled

2 stalks celery

1 medium potato, peeled

1 medium yellow cooking onion, peeled

1 cup white wine (leftovers are fine)

6 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pint half and half (optional)

nline...

One cup ofcooked broccoliprovides the recommendeddietary allowanceof vitamin C.

It’s been 20 years since George Bush Sr.declared war on broccoli—and the humble

vegetable has yet to recover. Sure, it’s readily available and priced to

move, but how often does it headline a dishor even play the role of lead vegetable on amenu? More often than not, it arrives unan-nounced in a medley of steamed or sautéed

vegetables only to be upstaged by other more fashionable greens.

At home, mothers still have to twist armsto get their kids to eat it or resort to surrep-titiously hiding mashed and minced floretswith such crafty camouflaging techniquesthat their unsuspecting children don’t evenknow what’s on their plate.

With so much goingfor it, broccoli should

be a publicist’sdream. It’s versatile, it’s

an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber,and it contains sulforaphane, a cancer-fight-ing compound. But somehow, this poor mem-ber of the kale family still has to play secondfiddle to sexier costars in the vegetable aisle.

We’ve all given peas a chance and learnedto love asparagus. Now it’s time to rock the broc.

This simple, heartwarming soup is a perfect example of how broccoli can be the star of the showif given the opportunity to shine.

Roughly chop broccoli, carrots, celery, potato and onion. In your largest pot over medium heat, addbutter and vegetables and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until veggies start to show signsof browning. Stir occasionally. Add wine to pot, reduce heat to low and let simmer for five minutes.Add stock, oregano and thyme. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes.Allow soup to cool, then purée in a blender or food processor. Be forewarned. If you attempt to purée before the soup has cooleddown, the top of the blender will blow, and you’ll have a greenkitchen. Season to taste with salt and pepper.To serve, add approximately 2 tablespoons of cream perserving and reheat to a gentle simmer. Adding the creamat the reheating stage, rather than during the initialpreparation, extends the refrigerator life of the soup. Yield: Six to eight servingsSuggested accompaniment: Fresh, thickly sliced crusty bread. Music to cook by: Violinist Nigel Kennedy’s recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Rock Your BrocFrom humble vegetable to headliner, broccoli takes center stage

Cream of Broccoli Soup with White Wine

http://www.bobblumer.com




BOB: Without a hands-on diagnosis, I have touse the process of elimination in finding a so-lution to your problem. Therefore, consideringeverything worked—including battery charg-ing—when plugged into campground power oryour AC generator, I have to believe that youhave a problem with the outlet in your garage.Check the circuit breaker and wiring for thegarage outlet and the voltage. An electriciancan help you, if you’re not experienced withthis type of troubleshooting.

By the way, the batteries don’t beep. Youmust be hearing a safety detector or someelectrical appliance telling you the batteriesare low.

Broken ShadesWE’VE HAD PROBLEMS with our day/nightshades to the point where they all seem to gobad at the same time. I replaced the stringsand put them back up, only to have them startsticking again after a few weeks. After takingone apart, I identified the problem. Thestrings go through a Teflon grommet that’spressed into a drilled hole on the metal centerbar that’s used to pull the shade up and

down. The grommets are pressed in backward.The grommet has a large diameter end and

a smaller diameter end. It’s inserted by themanufacturer in such a way that the small-diameter end is where the string rubs againstit. This causes the string to shred.

Within the last week, I’ve replaced all thegrommets on every shade(cost of the grommet is fivecents). It’s much more diffi-cult to insert the grommeton the right side of the barthan on the wrong side. Ifound a valve stem used toblow up basketballs wasperfect for centering thegrommet and pressing it into the hole. A fewtimes it required a hammer for assistance onreluctant grommets. I plan on calling the man-ufacturer to inform them of what they’re doing.I assume the engineers designed the grom-mets to be inserted on the proper side but theimplementation is wrong.

Bob Day, TUCSON, ARIZONA

BOB: I don’t think I’ve ever met an RV owner

who didn’t have problems with the day/nightshades. I’ve been wrestling with mine foryears and quite frankly hate restringing them.So thanks for the tip, Bob.

If you’d like to learn more about day/nightshades and restringing them, check outwww.dirtyblindman.com. The site offers agreat amount of information, and the companysells RV-shade repair kits. The kits provide allthe parts you’ll need to get your blinds work-ing properly. You just have to spend a fewhours on the restringing process.

Overflowing WaterI HAVE A 2001 Georgie Boy Landau. I haven’towned it very long but I love it dearly. Theproblem is that, when I fill the freshwatertank, it keeps overflowing. Sometimes I’ll losea fifth of the tank. The top of the tank will be-

come indented. It seems that a siphoning ef-fect is taking place. Is there a breather for thetank somewhere that I’m not aware of?

Jeff McKinney, UNIONTOWN, OHIO

BOB: Jeff, losing water after filling the tank isan inherent problem found with many RVs.Normally, a vent/overflow tube is positioned inthe top of the tank. It’s designed to preventthe tank from being ruptured when filling. As

Dead BatteriesWE HAVE A 2000 Fleetwood Flair that we bought last July. The motorhome has been usedon only one trip. It did fine when plugged into an electrical hookup at the campground. Wehave a 30-amp outlet in our garage to plug into when we bring it home. However, yesterday,the batteries were beeping while the RV was still plugged into AC, and the lights didn’twork—everything was dead. We unplugged from the AC and plugged into the generator tocharge back up. Then we went back to the AC plug in the garage. This has recurred severaltimes now. Is there a converter problem?

Kimberly Douglas, ELIZABETHTOWN, KENTUCKY

BY BOB LIVINGSTON

Shedding lighton brokenshades, tamingwater overflow,getting a fridgeback on level,mouse-proofingan RV and more.

To read more of Bob’s repliesto your technical questions, go to www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral. Have a questionabout your RV? E-mail it [email protected].

In addition to answering your letters, Bob Livingston is the pub-lisher of Trailer Life and Motor -Home magazines, director of theRally’s seminar program and author of Trailer Life’s RV Repairand Maintenance Manual.

nline...

TECHtopics


I don’t think I’ve evermet an RV owner who

didn’t have problems withthe day/night shades.

http://www.dirtyblindman.com

http://www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral




HW


long as water is allowed to be pushedup against the fitting, it will siphon outto the ground. If the rig is off level orlisting to one side, it may take longer forthe water to stop running.

While it’s disconcerting to see waterrunning out below the rig, you’re proba-bly not losing a fifth of your tank. Moni-tor panels are notoriously inaccurate.But it’s possible that the overflow tubewas installed into the side of the watertank. That could keep the water flowingfor a much longer period of time.

Shut Mice OutYOUR REPLY TO John McLaughlin in theOctober 2010 Highways didn’t addressthe real problem with mice. Campersneed to close off all access points, usu-ally under the camper, to keep mice out.When that’s done, there’ll be no need to

keep buying chemicals.Openings around various pipes, sid-

ing and the underbelly need to be in-spected carefully and exterior-ratedfoam sealant installed. One glaringopening that I found on my 2009 rigwas the 2-inch square tubes supporting

the slide-out. The outside ends arecompletely open, as are the insideends. This amounts to a dual-lane high-way for mice to come and go. Rain-water road spray could also enter the undercarriage area. After I sealedthese openings, my mouse problem disappeared.

Sid Wood, MECHANICSVILLE, MARYLAND

BOB: Thanks for the tips, Sid. It’s al-ways a good idea to seal the undersideof your RV, but mice are very clever—and can get into some pretty tiny open-ings. One example is when mice crawlup the power cord and enter the rig viathe access door.

Water-Tank MythCAN YOU PLEASE clear up a problem forme? I purchased a used 2006 28-foot

Adirondack fifth wheellast fall and had to re-place the 32-gallonfreshwater tank. It hadburst during the previ-ous owner’s winter use.

I want to boondockwith this camper, but therepair facility told me thesupports weren’t in-

tended to carry the tank full. Another fa-cility said I should carry only half a tankof water. Yet a third said they would addsupporting straps (for a nominal fee),and it would be all right. I’m $600 downon the tank now. What gives?

R.L. Boyd, WRIGHT, ARIZONA

TECHtopics

Campers need to closeoff all access points tokeep mice out. Whenthat’s done, there’ll beno need for chemicals.



http://cnyrvshow.com/


TECHtopicsBOB: Unless there’s a defect in the de-sign and execution of your holding-tanksupports, the idea that they can’t han-dle the weight of the water is bogus. If,for some reason, the supports havebeen modified or damaged by the previ-ous owner, who obviously wasn’t too wellversed on winterizing, then it’s possiblethat a fix is in order.

Touchy AwningI HAVE A 2002 Dutch Star. The awning is an electric One Step fabric androller assembly made by A&E Systems(Dometic), with WeatherPro power hard-ware (no wind sensor), also by Dometic.

For some time, the awning has hadtrouble extending and retracting. Itstarts to open and moves approximately6 inches before stopping. After waitingabout 20 minutes, it may or may not

open completely. When closing, thesame thing happens: it starts and thenstops every few inches. The last time itclosed, but it wouldn’t open past thefirst few inches. The local RV personnelbelieve the trouble is an overheatingmotor. When cooled down, it moves a

few inches until it gets hot and stops.I proceeded to the nearest Camping

World for further diagnostics to be surethat was the cause of my awning’s prob-lem. Camping World and I decided to re-place the motor and torsion bars. Whenthis work was completed, the problemwasn’t corrected.

The only mechanical parts yet to be replaced are the shock absorbers.Therefore, we’ve ordered new ones andare now waiting for them to be installed.I realize it’s hard to diagnose a problemwithout seeing the awning and its opera-tion, but can you shed any light on areasthat we may have missed?

Walter Parsons, DOVER, DELAWARE

BOB: First, check the voltage at thecontrol panel. If you see a substantialdrop in voltage while engaging the

open/close switch,there’s likely a problemwith inadequate wiringor a bad connectionsomewhere. In somecases, the RV manufac-turers pick up powerfrom a mutual sourcethat’s serviced by wiringthat’s too light.

If the control board senses overheat-ing, it may shut down the motor until itcools. Normally, when that happens,the motor starts within a couple of min-utes, not 20, as in your case. If possi-ble, try connecting the motor directly toa source of 12-volt DC power using

The awning has hadtrouble extending andretracting. After 20 minutes, it may or maynot open completely.



http://rvdirect.com/

Advertisement

Vinegar Can Be Used For WHAT?1001 All New Vinegar Home Health SecretsST. LOUIS (Special) - Thousands of years ago ancient healers trusted apple cider vinegar, and modern research shows - vinegar truly is a wonder cure!

In fact, apple cider vinegar’s biggest fans believe this golden liquid can help solve the most troublesome of human afflictions.

Since even the earliest of times a daily vinegar cocktail was used to help control appetite to lose weight and continue good health.

And now after years of continued research all across the globe, over 1000 new vinegar super-remedies and tonics are available in the brand new 208-page Vinegar Anniversary Book by famed natural health author, Emily Thacker.

Author of the very first book of its kind since the 1950’s, Ms. Thacker brings her unique wisdom, experience and down-home flavor to this complete collection.

From the Bible to Cleopatra to the fierce Samurai warriors of Japan, vinegar has been documented as a powerful tonic to ensure strength, power and long life.

In China, the health system that has been in place for thousands of years rec-ognizes the value of vinegar. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) oversees the health of millions of Chinese – not with modern drugs – but with proven remedies that include vinegar.

Today’s research studies and scientific reports continue to praise the healing powers of vinegar to maintain good health and well being.

Even grandma knew that her old remedies worked even if she wasn’t able to explain why. And scientific research confirms this.

For instance, grandma said putting diluted vinegar in the ears would ward off infections. The American Academy of Otolaryngology’s doctors – who specialize in treating infections like swimmer’s ear - now recommend using a vinegar mixture as a preventative.

The Yale-New Haven hospital uses vinegar as a hospital disinfectant. When after-surgery eye infections became a problem, their Department of Bacteriology solved it with vinegar.

Food poisoning? Some doctors suggest that regular vinegar use can prevent it!

The 208-page Vinegar Anniversary Book will amaze you with its over 1000 natural remedies, secrets, tonics and cure-alls for a healthier, happier life. You’ll get easy recipes that mix vinegar with other common household items to help:

Calm an upset stomach Ease leg cramps Soothe sprained muscles Control appetite to lose weight Relieve coughs Banish nausea Arthritis pain Make hiccups disappear Cool a sunburn Boost memory Reduce sore throat pain Relieve itchy skin Lower blood pressure & cholesterol Eliminate bladder infections Chase away a cold Treat burns Reduce infection Aid digestion Improve memory Soothe sore feet Treat blemishes & age spots Remove corns & calluses Replace many household cleanersAnd that’s just the beginning of the

over 1000 new and improved hints and tips that you’ll get.

50 years ago a daily dose of an apple cider vinegar and honey tonic was used to ease arthritis. During the last 30 years or so, many wonder drugs have replaced this time-tested home remedy. Now vinegar, along with countless other old-time tonics, have new supporters including many medical professionals. The reason? Almost everybody has experienced the negative side of some of the powerful new drugs.

Strep and Staph infections? Vinegar is a powerful antiseptic and kills even these dangerous bacteria on contact.

Headaches will fade away with this simple vinegar concoction.

Feel good and look good with these hair and skin-friendly vinegar remedies.

You’ll learn when you should and should not use vinegar.

Can apple cider vinegar really do all this? The answer is yes because it is such a marvelous combination of tart good taste, germ-killing acid and an assortment

of important vitamins and nutrients.Join readers like L.S. of Monroe,

N.C. who says “Thanks, this book is wonderful. A real life saver for me!”

Find different ways to combine vinegar with common foods like lemon juice, blueberries, onion, strawberries, garlic, honey, ginger and more to create recipes to help improve health and quality of life.

All new ideas to put vinegar to work around the home to clean, disinfect and eliminate mold and mildew. Great for those with allergies or asthma!

Save money as you put Emily’s latest discoveries to the test!

There’s even 365 additional tidbits to take you through the year beginning with January’s winter snows through the dog-days of summer and into the golden leaves of autumn.

Yes that’s over 1000 tried-and-true remedies and recipes in this handsome collector’s edition and it’s yours to enjoy for 90-risk free days. That’s right, you can read and benefit from all 208-pages without obligation to keep it.

To get your copy of the Vinegar Anniversary Book direct from the pub-lisher at the special introductory price of $19.95 plus 3.98 shipping and handling (total of $23.93, OH residents please add 6% sales tax) simply do this:

Write “Vinegar Anniversary” on a piece of paper and mail it along with your check or money order payable to: James Direct Inc., Dept. VA1017, 500 S. Prospect Ave., Box 980, Hartville, Ohio 44632.

You can charge to your VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express by mail. Be sure to include your card number, expiration date and signature.

Want to save even more? Do a favor for a relative or friend and order 2 books for only $30 postpaid. It’s such a thoughtful gift.

Remember: It’s not available in book stores at this time. And you’re protected by the publisher’s 90-Day Money Back Guarantee.

SPECIAL BONUS - Act promptly and you’ll also receive The Very Best Old-Time Remedies booklet absolutely FREE. It’s yours to keep just for previewing “The Vinegar Anniversary Book.” Supplies are limited. Order today.

http://www.jamesdirect.com©2011 JDI VA127S


jumper cables or heavywire with alligator clips.Unfortunately, this isn’tthe easiest thing to do,since the wires are con-cealed and you’d haveto tap into them tomake any connection.

Changing the shockswill likely not solve theproblem. But a friendhas the sameawning, andhis got hungup (binding)because ofwrong hard-ware thatsomehowwas installedby the manu-facturer. I would imaginethat most service techscould isolate bindingproblems.

Off-Level FridgeWE HAVE A 28-footDamon cabover mo-torhome. We just re-turned from a wonderful8,000-mile vacation tothe East. In upstate NewYork, we visited friendsand stayed at theirhouse. Our RV stayed onan incline nearby. Twodays later, we found all

the stuff in our refrigera-tor spoiling.

The refrigerator hadgone off, and we nevergot it going again. We’venever leveled the mo-torhome while campingbut we usually picked a level spot. We just did-n’t think about the re-frigerator needing to be

level. Can it be fixedwith a simple solution,or do we have to take itto be repaired? We’re re-tired and don’t havemoney to waste.

Karen Lewis, MESA, ARIZONA

BOB: Chances are, thesystem has becomeblocked. If you hear gur-gling, then that’s thecase. There’s no simplefix. The cheapest is buy-ing a rebuilt cooling unit,but it won’t typically lastas long as a new cooling

TECHtopics

We just didn’tthink the refrig-

erator neededto be level. Can

it be fixed?

http://www.jamesdirect.com



http://www.phoenixusarv.com/home.html

DUE TO STRICT LIMITED AVAILABILITY, TELEPHONE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS ACCORDING TO THE TIME AND DATE OF THE ORDER.

Own Gov’t Issued Gold Coins

$15878

• U

NITED STATES •

COIN S

LOG

GO

T

V’

D

1-800-553-6634MASTERCARD • VISA • AMEX • DISCOVER • CHECK


TECHtopicsunit. Unfortunately, a newcooling unit is pretty priceyand normally only a fewhundred dollars cheaperthan a new refrigerator. Anew refrigerator will giveyou the longest warranty,

in most cases.I wouldn’t do anything

until a certified technicianconfirms that the cooling

unit is indeed blocked.

Wrong Water HookupI HAD TO CHUCKLE when I read the “Holding-TankBlowout” letter from Mar-vin Miller in the November–

December Highways. Notbecause of what happenedto Miller, but because ofwhat happened to me!

It was the winter of ei-ther 2003 or 2004, and Ihooked the water hose tothe sewer-flush intake in-stead of the park waterhookup. The sewer-tankvalve was shut, of course,and before long we hearda loud pop. I’m not new to RVing but I thought Iput the hose in the rightplace. This incident hap-pened on a Sunday, so Ihad to wait until the nextday for service, which tookabout three days.

My husband was pretty

7%INVESTMENT INCOME FOR YOU

Best Annuity

Interest

Rates for

Good Sam

Members!GUARANTEED

INTERESTNORHILL WEALTH STRATEGIESAN INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL COMPANYCA Insurance Lic# 0633742

• All Accounts are Guaranteed & Insured • 100+ Billion in Assets• Over 100 Years in Insurance Business • Zero Risk Investment• IRA - 401K - 403B Annuity Rollovers • 5% Investment Bonus“I have found Warren Elkin of Norhill Financial to be a very knowledgeable and friendly per-son. He was of a great help in setting up my IRA account as well as many of my other financialinvestments. I would highly recommend Warren Elkin to anyone who needs assistance with anyfinancial matter.” –R. Sarno For more information go to www.WarrenElkin.com

A+

Call Warren Elkin today for our FREE safe money brochure

877-476-5051


I had to chuckle when Iread the letter, becauseit happened to me.

http://www.WarrenElkin.com



http://nomadglass.com/

http://www.usmoneyreserve.com/

��

�

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 9/09:“Term-insurance rates have plummeted over the past15 years because of intense competition and longerlife expectancies. So you may actually pay less for thesame coverage even though you’re older . . .”

Now Good Sam MembersCan SAVE BOTH!

Fast & EasyCustom-Quoteson “Best-Rate”Term Life Insurance

�

Let us do the legwork for you!

Now all active members have direct access toGood Sam-endorsed Insurance Central®. Weresearch and provide options – plus share insidertips and professional, helpful guidance. All withno obligation, simply and hassle-free by phone.

We spend the time shoppingfor the most competitive rates.You reap the savings!

Example: $100,000 for only $28.18 a month!(Man, 55 for 10-year term)*

All at your fingertips with just ONE call:

� Only leading, highly-rated insurancecompanies

� Policies from $100,000 to $1,000,000� Shorter or longer coverage terms

(10 to 30 years)� No complicated paperwork� Private, hassle-free – no agent will visit

Competitive quotes on life insurance“right-sized” for your needs and budget, now:

� “Supplement” what you’ve got – catch upwith inflation

� Replace over-priced or outdated coverage� Bolster your nest egg with an immediate,

tax-free cushion

YES! I’m a Good Sam Member & I’d like to knowhow much I can save. MAIL me a free QUOTEon term life insurance a.s.a.p. No obligation!

*Rates are current as of August 2010 and are subject to change.Premiums shown are for a healthy non-nicotine Super Preferred Rate Class, and aresubject to underwriting approval by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company. Premiumsshown are monthly and include an annual $68 policy fee. ING TermSmart, policy formseries 1315-02/10, varies by state and may not be available in all states (not avail-able in New York), is issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN).ING TermSmart�NY policy form series 3314-02/10 (only available in New York), isissued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY).Within thestate of New York, only ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York is admittedand its products issued. Both are members of the ING family of companies. Availablein cooperation with Insurance Central, CA insurance license #0C26165.Other than the ING companies identified, no other entities, whether distributing orlisted on the material, are affiliated with the ING family of companies.

8690

25670 ©2011 Insurance Central, Santa Barbara, CA

Name:

Address:

City: State: ZIP:

Male Female Date of birth: - -

Height: Weight: Nicotine User Yes No

Daytime: ( ) Home Work CellEvening: ( ) Home Work CellE-mail:Amount of Insurance: $100,000 $200,000 $300,000Other: $

Want a quote for your spouse also? It’s easy! Just print the sameinfo as above on a sheet of paper and include it with your request!

CALL! Members find it fastest & easiest by phone!WEB: www.ICinsure.com/GSC8690FAX (toll-free): 1-888-699-5454Or clip and mail: P.O. Box 22407, Santa Barbara, CA 93121

What is more

important to you?

☐ Saving Time?

☐ Saving Money?

☐ Time☐Money

NO cost ♦ NO risk ♦ NO obligation

CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-655-6836 ext. 8690Call Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific Time

CALL and you’llalso get this NEWvaluable guide,

FREE!

“5 Things to Be Aware of WhenYou’re Shopping For Life Insurance!”

�

��

You’ve got nothing to lose!Why not see how much you can SAVE?


TECHtopicscalm about the whole inci-dent, but it will never leavemy mind. I put a plug onthe sewer-flush hookupand painted it red so asnot to do this again.

Sandrea Minger, VICKSBURG, MICHIGAN

BOB: Lessons!

AntifreezeLongevityI WINTERIZED MYcamper last year and did-n’t use it year. It still hasthe antifreeze in it from

last winter. Do I need todrain the antifreeze fromlast year and put in new,or can I just leave italone?

Jane Ryerson, BETHEL, MAINE

BOB: Jane, you can getthe second year out ofthe antifreeze. Once thebottle has been opened,antifreeze is usuallygood for only one moreseason. If the bottle is factory sealed, it has a three- to four-yearshelf life.

RV Overstock &

Forest River Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels:• Cardinal • Blue Ridge • Sandpiper • Surveyor • r-pod • Wildwood • Palomino Fold Down Heartland Travel Trailers and 5th Wheels:• Landmark • Big Country • Sundance• Elkridge • North Trail • North Country Keystone’s Cougar Trailers and 5th WheelsGeorgetown MotorhomesGulfstream Class A’s and C’sLarge inventory PreownedDelivery to US and Canada

Terry Frazer’s RV Center • Eldridge, IA 527481-866-782-3683 • [email protected]

www.terryfrazersrv.comAfter hours phone number 563-340-7051

THE BEST PRICE NATIONWIDE

d4.99% fixed rate financing on select modelson select models up to 20 years

http://www.ICinsure.com/GSC8690

http://www.terryfrazersrv.com




http://therally.com/

22

rel of its time, a family-owned businessthat catered to the trail trade, providingfood and acting as a gathering placefor travelers.

Most of the folks that camethrough weren’t your historybook pioneers—farmers withhelpless children and bon-neted women in Conestogawagons squinting into the sun.These were profiteers, busi-ness people establishing and per-petuating commercial traffic betweenSanta Fe (the newly independent Mex-ico’s northernmost province) and Inde-pendence, Missouri.

When Mexico overthrew its Spanishcolonial masters, William Becknell and his

companions became the new govern-ment’s first trade partners. Beck-

nell’s success created a rushof two-way traffic to and fromSanta Fe, using heavy wagonscalled freighters. Going toSanta Fe were guns, textiles

and manufactured goods.Coming from Santa Fe were

gold, silver and livestock.For 25 years, the more direct way—

the “Dry” or Cimarron Route—was the pri-mary one taken. It extended for 800 milesthrough woods and prairies and windswept

Crossing KANSASDon’t miss the good stuff as you speed through the Sunflower State

Story and Photographyby Ron and Eva Stob

or years we’ve been traveling from Ten-nessee to Colorado to visit our kids

and grandkids, covering Kansas fromborder to border in the style of theold Pontiac hood ornament—noseto the wind, hair swept back—fly-ing across I-70 with nary a glanceright or left until we had the statein our rearview mirror.

As the years passed, we began to suc-cumb to those familiar signs designatinghistoric sites and scenic places. Clearly,

we were missing the good stuff. As if toprove that, Kansas set up a Santa Fe Trail

Auto Tour Route from Kansas City toDodge City and beyond.

We began our tour in the yardof the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stopand Farm Historic Site at Olathe,south of Kansas City. This was

the first stop on the Santa Fe Trail west ofKansas City in the 1860s when more than500 wagons a year made the pilgrimage.The Mahaffie house was the Cracker Bar-




landscapes where buffalo roamed andPlains Indian tribes, the Kaw (or Kansa)and Osage, exercised territorial rights. Bythe 1840s, another route—the “Wet” orMountain Route—45 miles longer, followed

the Arkansas River, providing a predictablewater source.

Kansas has designated a historic SantaFe Trail Auto Tour Route (www.travelks.com),directing travelers to significant points ofinterest: river crossings, cemeteries, fed-eral forts and prominent landmarks. From

Olathe, we picked up State Highway 56 and began our trek across the tall-grass prairie, running through communitiesplain and unassuming, with water towersas prominent as monuments.

The road un-dulates up anddown, with eachgreen hill risinghigher than thenext. There weremoments whenwe literally

reached for the sky. In a magazine articletitled “Lost Horizon,” Wayne Fields ob-served that “The prairie...makes pointlessa rush to somewhere else and creates anoverwhelming suspicion that there isnowhere else.”

Our goal for the first day was Council

Grove in the Flint Hills, a place replete withSanta Fe Trail landmarks and the sitewhere surveyor George Sibley counseledwith the Osage Indians in 1825 for safepassage for travelers. Council Grove was a trading center, watering hole, the lastchance for lumber to repair wagons, aplace where animals could be shod or sta-bled, a general meeting spot and a servicecenter. Large trees became meetingpoints, mail drops and centers of activity.Caravans were reconstituted for the nextleg of the trip with wagons running fourabreast to ward off hostile Indians andallow for quicker circling in case of attack.

We roamed the city in our own coveredwagon, a 32-foot eggshell trailer pulled by275 horses marshaled under the hood ofa Ford pickup. We stopped at the Kaw Mis-sion State Historic Site and Museum, built

in 1851 by the Methodist–EpiscopalChurch for boys from the Kaw American In-dian tribe. Kaw was an early name of thenative people, which translates to Peopleof the South Wind.

The museum holds various items suchas beads, blankets and clothing and is agood place to learn of other Council Grovesites, such as the Last Chance Store(circa 1863), the oldest commercial build-ing in town, which served as a supplydepot to early travelers. The Hays House(circa 1857), a restaurant and formermail-distribution point, district court,church and newspaper-publication site, isone of the oldest dining establishmentswest of the Mississippi.

At the end of Main Street stands a signmarking the crossing of the freight wagonsat Neosho River. Water crossings were


As the years passed, we beganto succumb to those familiarsigns designating historic sites and scenic places.

Entering the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Left, CouncilGrove’s Neosho River Crossing site.

http://www.travelks.com




a big deal for wagoners because the riversoften ran swift, animals were fearful, andheavy freighters sank into the mud. Ashallow crossing on a gravel riverbed waspreferred. Eighteen-year-old pioneer SusanShelby Magoffin noted in her journal in1846, “It is amusing to hear the shoutingof the wagoners to their animals, hootingand hollering, the cracking of whips al-most deafening.”

Highway 177 runs south out of CouncilGrove and is a scenic route to the TallgrassPrairie National Preserve. Along manyKansas two-lane highways, we cameacross steel silhouettes of cattle, coveredwagons and cowboys or Indians on horse-back. Situated on the crest of hills setagainst the cumulus-clouded Kansas sky,this prairie art is both fetching and fleeting.

At the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, we

stepped inside the great stone barn of thehistoric Z-Bar (Spring Hill) Ranch where twonational park rangers gave us introduc-tions to the exhibits. Earlier in the spring,various tracts had been burned to renewthe prairie and, as a result, only the firstgrowth was visible in May. The anticipationof walking through grasses as tall as anelephant’s eye had to be put off until wevisited in late summer or fall.

The 10,894-acre ranch became a unitof the U.S. National Park System in 1996along with its 11-room native limestonehome. Of the 140 million acres of tall-grass prairie that once flourished in NorthAmerica, only 4 percent remains, foundmostly in Kansas and Oklahoma.

We walked the trails, observing recover-ing forbs and grasses. The land was rock-strewn, as if the underlying limestone was

rising through the top layer of the soil. Theonly sound was the wind brushing plantagainst plant and the warbling song of themeadowlark.

Pulling into nearby Strong City, we foundnothing but the vitals: a church, a grocerystore, a hardware store and a Santa FeRailroad depot. A few miles further southis Cottonwood Falls, the county seat. Alongits brick-paved Main Street is the imposingChase County Courthouse, a matronsmothered in makeup compared to theplain Janes that line the business street.

Camping facilities in these parts are as scarce as sushi bars, but on our mapsthere appeared a symbol designatingcamping a few miles west. We jumpedonto the county road and made our way toward the Chase State Fishing Lake andWildlife Area. We pulled onto a gravel road

that wound around a hill, then traversedthe edge of a small lake. Along the water’sedge we found a picnic pavilion and lake-side campsites with ample room for ourtruck and fifth wheel. Even large motor-homes wouldn’t have difficulty negotiatingthe hills and turns.

We set up and prepared dinner while a mated pair of Canada geese with theirgoslings made the last round of the daybefore disappearing from view. Theevening concerto of redwing blackbirds,cardinals, bullfrogs and tree frogs usheredin the still of the night. In the morning, thedrakes were out with their mates and ba-bies, and the choir of songbirds piped agentle wakeup call.

We motored to Elmdale and Highway150, which caught up to Highway 56, theroute that we began near Kansas City. As

Welcome to Dodge City. Right,the historic Hays House.




we drove, the Flint Hill tall-grass prairie dis-solved into medium-grass landscape nearGreat Bend. Checking the maps, we no-ticed that at the beginning of our trek nearKansas City we were at an elevation of900 feet, and we’d reach 3,000 feet abovesea level by the time we crossed the stateborder.

The Arkansas River takes a turn at thecity of Great Bend, where we found short-lived Fort Zarah (circa 1864), now mostlygone. The remains are on private property,and apparently most of the fort’s sand-stone blocks were recycled into town build-ings. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa FeRailroad arrived in Great Bend in 1872 andpretty much ended commerce on the oldwagon thoroughfare.

A couple of nice rope swings hang inthe cottonwoods at the Barton County Mu-seum, a welcome ride after a day on theroad. Eva swung like a kid, and this wasmy chance to push m’lady to where thesun shines and robins sing. The museumis a fine repository of historic artifacts,along with a collection of vintage buildings.

Along the way toward Dodge Citystands Pawnee Rock State Historic Site, a mega block of Dakota sandstone whereon July 8, 1846, Private Jacob Robinsonwrote these impressions from atopPawnee Rock: “Far over the plain to thenorth and west was one vast herd of buf-falo, some in columns marching in theirtrails, others carelessly grazing, everyacre covered until in the dim distance theprairie became one black mass extendingto the horizon.” Alas, they weren’t out toplay when we were there. In the 1860s,

the trail ran 200 yards south of here, thehalfway point to Santa Fe.

Further south is Fort Larned NationalHistoric Site, a fine national park recon-struction. Built in 1859, the federal fortstood for 19 years. An African-Americanregiment, nicknamed “buffalo soldiers” bythe Native Americans, served here.

This site and the museum are a preemi-nent source for information on the Santa FeTrail. Numerous exhibits and a lecture se-ries provide the traveler with obscure andfascinating information. A yearly rendezvousfeatures various aspects of trail life andbus tours from the fort to Dodge City.

As we approached Dodge City, we got a whiff of what drives and has drivenDodge—cattle. Hundreds of thousands ofcattle spend their last days in and aroundDodge, getting fat and making Dodge themanure capital of Kansas.

Fort Dodge (circa 1865) was con-structed before Dodge was incorporatedas a city. It was designed to protect travel-ers during the Indian wars. When Dodgebecame a city in 1872, it was the center of the buffalo trade. A hunter could make$100 a day killing and skinning buffalo.This unregulated slaughter guaranteed thenear extinction of the high plains’ mostproductive food source and the principlefood of the native people. One hunter withthree skinners could kill 3,000 animals ina month’s time.

A prominent hill in the city became thefirst burial ground for infamous gangstersand gunmen such as Black Jack, who wasshot by a gambler named Denver andburied with his boots. In all, 32 people ofill repute or folks without money or titlewere interred here until 1878 when theywere moved to the Prairie Grove Cemetery.

Today Boot Hill is more an amusementpark than an authentic historic site. Al-though the faux village has a backyardcemetery with stick grave markers for Jackand the others, it’s pure theater.

We camped that night on the outskirtsof town at Gunsmoke Trav-L-Park, a goodplace to hang it up after days on the trail.Numerous restaurants give you a place toorder—what else?—beef steak.

The next morning, we stopped at a his-toric marker designating wagon ruts fromthe 1870s. We marveled at the open ex-panse of land and sky and the hardshipand adventure of our brothers and sistersfrom another century.

Next time you’re traveling throughKansas, take our lead and get off themostly featureless interstate to discoverthe unexpected pleasures of the state’sblue highways and the Santa Fe Trail.


For More Information

Kansas Tourism Divisionwww.travelks.com

Good Sam ParksKansas has 20 Good SamParks. To find them, go towww.goodsamclub.com,click on the Travel Toolstab, then click on Find aCampground.


http://www.travelks.com



26 www.goodsamclub.comtable of contentsHighways FEBRUARY 2011

AlaskaUNCORKED

A National Forest Scenic Byway and All American Road, Alaska’s

intoxicating Seward Highway toasts the beauty of the Kenai Peninsula

In the late 1700s, England’s Captain James Cook sailed nearly 40 miles

up what he thought was a broad Alaska river, only to have to “turn again” when

he reached the head of the long, mountain-flanked bay. That body of water, now known

as Turnagain Arm, has a spectacularly scenic route running along it—the Seward Highway

—that showcases one of Alaska’s most expansive natural wonders—the Kenai Peninsula.

BY TOM WAT SONPhotography by Tom Watson

and Sarah Kocak




At 150 miles long and 70 miles wide,the Kenai Peninsula is about the

size of Vermont. Home to both theChugach National Forest and the Kenai

National Wildlife Refuge (itself over 2 mil-lion acres in size), the peninsula featuresall the wildlife, history, scenery and cul-ture that make Alaska such an unforget-table destination.

The narrow isthmus that connects theKenai to the rest of south-central Alaskais only 52 miles south of Anchorage. Trav-elers get their first glimpse of the penin-sula as soon as the highway drops downonto the tidal flats at the mouth of Turna-gain Arm. The coastal mountain rangeacross the inlet outlines the northernedge of the Kenai, jutting into Cook Inlet.

Hardly a mile goes by without an op-portunity to park at a trailhead, explore asmall, rustic settlement or simply stop toenjoy the grandeur of the arm itself. Forstarters, Potter Marsh reveals the subtlecomplexities of a tidal environment and scores of bird species from a perch onits extensive boardwalk.

Driving into the town of Girdwood islike visiting a thriving ski village in theheart of the Rockies. Small craft shops

and vacation cabins nestle back in thetrees, as the road weaves through spruceforests shadowed by towering MountAlyeska. Alyeska Resort is the state’s

premier downhill ski area, and the mag-nificent views from its aerial tramwaymake it a must-stop sightseeing destina-tion four seasons of the year.

The Kenai Peninsula Visitor Center inGirdwood is the place to stock up on re-gional brochures and information. Thecenter provides parking spaces for recre-ational vehicles, or you can park your RV

Hardly a milegoes by withoutan opportunity to park at a trail-head, explore arustic settlementor simply enjoy the grandeur.

A seven-minute tram ride zips visitors to the topof Mount Alyeska. Left, paragliding at Alyeska.




outside Alyeska Resort’s day lodge. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood

provides an introduction to the birds and animals of theKenai Peninsula. Potential sightings include moose,black and brown bear, bald eagles, whales, sea mam-mals and seabirds.

Once visible from the U.S. Forest Service visitor cen-ter, Portage Glacier now has receded up the valley. Tosee it, you’ll need to take a boat across Portage Lake.Even without the watery excursion, the area’s glaciallysculpted mountains will make an impression. Distantglaciers can be seen snuggled into the high valleys onnearby mountains at several points along the highway.

A unique side trip from Portage takes you through the Whittier Tunnel. At 13,200 feet long, it’s the longestcombined highway-and-railroad tunnel in North America,conveying visitors from the Turnagain Arm area to thewestern edge of Prince William Sound and the town ofWhittier, Alaska’s only year-round open-water port. RVscan drive through the tunnel for $12 or $20, dependingon length.

Back on the Seward Highway, the route curves grace-fully up along spruce-covered valley walls to broad vis-tas of snowy peaks and rugged rock ridges. Crystalclear streams raging down from steep slopes cutthrough forests of spruce and silver-barked aspen tothe valleys below.

At the Sterling Highway junction, travelers can detourto Homer, 142 miles to the southwest (see “Fork in theRoad” on this page).

About 35 miles before reaching Seward, the easternshoreline of Kenai Lake comes into view. Set againstthe lush background of the Chugach forest, the headwa-ters of the Kenai River run emerald green.

Just before entering Seward, a short turnoff to ExitGlacier gives even the modestly adventurous a chance toget up close and personal to an active glacier. A strenu-ous 3-mile trail takes hikers from sea level up 2,500feet to the Harding Icefield. For those less eager to con-

Fork in the RoadA spectacular view of Tern Lake marks the route westfrom the Seward Highway to the Sterling Highway alongthe Kenai Peninsula’s western edge, ending in the townof Homer, 142 miles down the road.

RV parks dot this coastal stretch of the SterlingHighway. Conveniently placed wooden walkways in themajor towns of Kenai and Soldotna lead hopeful an-glers to spots on the Kenai River where king salmonweighing over 90 pounds have been caught.

Along the coast, broadseascape vistas of thenorth Pacific open upwith clear but distantviews of the Redoubt, Illiamna and Augustinevolcanoes. The highway

also brings visitors through the prime canoe country of the Swanson River system.

Alaska’s Russian Orthodox heritage is revealed inthe architecture of Ninilchik. Other villages at themouths of rivers offer some of the best river fishing inthe state. A wild 19-mile side route takes you throughserious brown bear country on the Skilak Lake Loop.Hikers, take extreme caution.

The Sterling Highway ends just beyond the communityof Homer, at the Homer Spit, a 4.2-mile narrow strip of

sand and gravel jutting out intoKachemak Bay. Snack shops, gift retail-ers and a host of fishing-charter opera-tors create a carnival-like atmospherethat lasts all summer. Small hideawaycommunities across the bay, accessibleonly by charter boats, offer more opportu-nities to sample the local culture.

Sterling Highway: Alaska on a silver platter

Kayaks brighten the shore of Right Beach, near Homer.Top, Ninilchik is blessed with a Russian Orthodox church.Right, a Homer halibut charter’s healthy catch of the day.




quer the river of ice, a nature trail offers an ab-breviated route to explore and enjoy the glacier.

Beyond Seward’s active marina, the town’smajor attractions include the headquarters ofKenai Fjords National Park (boat excursions areavailable in summer) and the Alaska SeaLifeCenter. The center is a must-see for anyonefascinated by seabirds, mammals and tidal crit-ters such as sea stars, crabs and jellyfish. A

hands-on tank letsyou shake hands—or tentacles—withan assortment ofsea creatures.

At Seward’s Wa-terfront Park, you’llfind water andelectric hookups athundreds of first-

come, first-served RV sites on ResurrectionBay, with snowcapped peaks and the Gulf ofAlaska right out your window. Stoney Creek RVPark, just 6 miles outside of Seward, also of-fers full-hookup services.

The breathtaking scenery and variety of ac-tivities throughout the Kenai Peninsula make ita not-to-be-missed Alaska destination. If Cap-tain Cook visited the Kenai today, he wouldn’tbe so eager to “turn again” this time around.


Even if you’re just dreamingabout a trip to Alaska, get your-self a copy of The Milepost. Up-dated and published annually,it’s the must-have bible ofAlaska travel. The comprehen-sive guide offers mile-by-mile de-scriptions (in tenths of a mile,no less) of nearly every drivableroadway in the state and variousentry routes through out thewestern half of North America.You’ll find everything from theavailability of gasoline to where

to buy the best cheeseburger in the pages of The Milepost. www.themilepost.com

Kenai Peninsula Tourismwww.kenaipeninsula.org

Good Sam ParksAlaska has 41 GoodSam Parks. Find themon the Good Sam website,www.goodsamclub.com, or inthe 2011 Trailer Life RV Parksand Campgrounds Directory.

For More Information

At Seaward’s Waterfront Park,you’ll find hundredsof first-come, first-served RV sites.

Seward harbor ripples at the end of the road.


http://www.themilepost.com

http://www.kenaipeninsula.org



30 www.goodsamclub.comtable of contentsHighways FEBRUARY 2011

7TAX

BY MARTIN SHENKMAN

Calculating the tax benefits and burdens of the RV lifestyle

RVWhether we like it or not, April 15 is

just around the bend, so it’s time tostart gathering up your receipts, W-2s andother tax-related documents. Sadly, this an-nual chore is never easy. As Albert Einsteinlamented, “The hardest thing in the worldto understand is the income tax.” It’s evenharder for RVers, because there’s so littlelaw or material explaining the application of the arcane tax rules to situations facedby RVers.

The following is an overview of some ofthe opportunities and potholes AmericanRVers face at tax time. Keep in mind thatCongress has enacted a raft of recent taxchanges, and many more may come nextyear. So use this as a starting point, not thefinal word.

Keep Records on the RoadThe key to easily filing your tax returns,maximizing your deductions and withstand-ing an audit is keeping good records. Withthe advent of the Internet, inexpensivescanners and cheap accounting software,your RV lifestyle shouldn’t impede goodrecord keeping.

Be certain that anyone sending you taxrecords has your correct address. Use lastyear’s return as a checklist. If you’re missinga tax form (for example, a 1099 from abank), call or write for it. Don’t ignore whatyou don’t get—the IRS sure won’t.

If you spend a significant portion of theyear traveling, keep a detailed log of whereand when you worked, where you lived per-manently (if anywhere) and where you

camped. If your records for the beginning ofthe year are lacking, reconstruct them now.

Work Camping and TaxesFiguring out how much income you have toreport is simple. Add up your 1099s for con-sulting work, dividends and interest, andyour W-2 if you’re an employee. For many RVers, work camping and otherarrangements make it tougher.

If you get free hookups at an RV park fora month in exchange for helping with theirwebsite or machine maintenance, what doesthe tax man say? The value of the free rentalwill be taxable based on the barter deal youmade with the RV park. How can the IRS tax“income” from bartering when you didn’t getany cash? You must include in your taxable

income the fair market value of property orservices you receive in bartering. If you ex-change services with another person andyou both have agreed ahead of time on thevalue of the services, that value will be ac-cepted as fair market value.

However, meals and lodging, furnished toyou as an employee, may avoid taxationunder the barter rules if certain require-ments are met. For starters, the lodgingmust be provided for “the convenience of”the employer. If you need to be on site 24hours a day, perhaps to help late-arriving orearly-departing guests, this might suffice, ifconfirmed with appropriate written documen-tation from the employer. Further, as an em-ployee, you’re required to accept the site asa condition of the employment.

Generally, you report the income the IRSviews you as having earned on Schedule C.If you have concerns whether you have bar-tering income to report, consult a CPA forguidance. Penalties for failing to report canbe significant.

Drive Up Your Deductions After you’ve figured your income, the nextstep is to subtract the deductions to calcu-late taxable income. You can subtract eitherthe “standard deduction” on your actualitemized deductions (certain expenses theIRS lets you deduct listed on Schedule A ofyour Form 1040). Most taxpayers canchoose the standard deduction or itemizeddeductions—whichever method gives youthe lower tax. The standard deduction is anamount you can deduct without the work andbackup required for itemizing. For 2010 the




figures are $5,700 for Single and $11,400for Married Filing Jointly.

Add up your itemized deductions to see ifthey exceed the standard deduction. Includemoney paid for medical care (not what insur-ance covered), home mortgage interest,taxes, charitable contributions, casualtylosses and miscellaneous deductions thatcan reduce your taxes. For RVers, two deduc-tions have special interest.

Itemized deductions for working RVersmight include depreciation on a computer or cell phone your employer requires you touse in your work, dues to a chamber of com-merce, dues to professional societies, toolsand supplies used in your work, travel, trans-portation, meals, entertainment, gifts andlocal lodging related to your work, and uniondues and expenses.

If you have loans outstanding, they haveto qualify as business loans or qualified resi-dence loans for interest to be deductible. Aproperty used as your residence has to pro-vide basic living accommodations includingsleeping, toilet and cooking facilities. Soyour RV might qualify. You can deduct quali-fied interest on two residences. The homemortgage interest deduction is limited to in-terest paid on debt secured by your RV andused to purchase or improve the RV.

Shine Sunlight on Tax CreditsIf you upgraded your RV by adding a solar-electric system, you might qualify for a 30percent tax credit. Qualified solar-electricproperty expenditure is based onthe cost of property that usessolar energy to generate elec-tricity for use as a dwelling unit.

The property must be located in the UnitedStates and used as a residence by the tax-payer. If your RV qualifies as a residence,you may be in luck.

RV Home-Office PitfallsMany RVers work part time from their RVs asfreelancers, consultants, sales people and inother occupations. Although a tax deductionmight be available for a home office, it’s re-ally tough to meet the tests with an RV.

The space in your home must be usedexclusively and regularly as a principal placeof business. In a house-based business,you might convert a garage into an office orwarehouse and qualify. In an RV, meetingthe exclusive-use test may make home-of-fice deductions impossible. However, ifyou’re using a toy-hauler with the back endof your RV as a legitimate office, you mightmeet the separate-and-exclusively-used-forbusiness requirements.

Be careful. Deductions from your busi-ness might exceed income in some years,and you may end up with a loss for income-tax purposes. If you realize losses on a“business” too many years in a row, the IRSwill argue that what you say was a businesswas merely a hobby so that the loss is a per-sonal one that you can’t deduct.

File on TimeIt’s been a tough economy. But even if you’re

still smarting from the recession,be sure to file your return ontime. Try to pay any tax due ontime to avoid costly interest andpenalties. If you can’t afford to

pay everything due, pay as much

as possible and attach an explana-tion. Request more time to pay your tax due when you file. Request an “installment agree-ment” from the IRS. If youdon’t owe more than $25,000in tax, interest and penalties,you might qualify for a payout overtime. Look for the Online Payment Agree-ment (OPA) at www.irs.gov.

States Want Your StashMost taxpayers think of the IRS when theythink of taxes. But state taxes are nothing tobe trifled with, especially if you’re an RVer.California, for instance, is struggling with a$19 billion deficit, and many other statesare grappling with equally serious financialproblems. As a result, they’re looking formore tax revenue, and you may be a target.

States can tax you if you work in thatstate, if you’re domiciled in the state (yourpermanent home) or if you’re a resident inthat state (determined based on a combina-tion of factors such as physical presence inthat state, where you own property, etc.).The rules differ significantly by state, andmore than one state may try to tax the sameincome. So before you file your 2010 re-turns, learn the rules.

Most RVers would like to believe that ifthey left a particular state, obtained their license in a new state, registered to vote inthat new state and so on, the old state canno longer tax them. Sadly, that might be nomore than wishful thinking. If you weredomiciled in the old state, you have to breakthat domicile and establish your domicile ina new state. Merely registering to vote and

obtaininga license maynot suffice.

A state might also tax you if you’re consid-ered a resident of that state. This could hap-pen if you work for a period of time in thatstate and spend more than a specified num-ber of days in that state. You can be domi-ciled in one state and simultaneously betaxed as a resident in another state. If youhave a business, or work as an employee or consultant in several states, you have toallocate your earnings and expenses be-tween the various states in which you haveworked.

Find out what the filing requirements arefor every state you’ve lived in and workedin. The Internet is a great help. Find the taxreturns for each state for nonresidents andread the instructions. Then hire a CPA inthe state you believe is your real tax hometo help.

Good Sam member and 2010 RVer of the Yearcandidate Martin Shenkman practices law inParamus, New Jersey. He and his wife, Patti,travel the country with a 19-foot Airstream,educating CPAs, attorneys and financial plan-ners about financial planning for those livingwith chronic illness. www.rv4thecause.org

http://www.irs.gov


http://www.rv4thecause.org



FEBRUARYFLORIDA • WINTER SAMBOREE, February 9–13.Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Palatka. Contact:Robert Ward, 352-585-3677. [email protected] www.goodsams-florida.org

MARCHARIZONA • STATE SAMBOREE, March 2–5.Yuma County Fairgrounds, Yuma. Contact:Joyce Anderson, [email protected] www.arizonagoodsam.org

NEVADA • SPRING SAMBOREE, March 10–12.Nevada Treasure RV Resort, Pahrump. Contact: Lois Hall, [email protected] www.nevadagoodsam.com

GEORGIA • SPRING SAMBOREE, March 24–27.Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry. Contact: Perno Scott, 770-922-5794. [email protected] www.georgiagoodsam.com

TEXAS • AROUND THE WORLD SAMBOREE,March 31–April 3. Heart O’ Texas Fairgrounds,Waco. Contact: Jody Birchett, [email protected] www.texasgoodsam.com

APRILSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • STATE SAMBOREE,April 7–10. Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Lancaster. Contact: Carmela Remsen, 562-833-3691.

[email protected] www.socalgoodsam.org

ALABAMA • SPRING SAMBOREE, April 7–10.National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan.Contact: Pat Smith, [email protected] www.alabamagoodsams.org

LOUISIANA • SPRING SAMBOREE, April 7–10.Rayne Civic Center, Rayne. Contact: Burk andRachael Spurlock, 318-309-8410. [email protected]

NEW MEXICO • SPRING SAMBOREE,April 12–17. Eastern New Mexico State Fair-grounds, Roswell. Contact: Judy Weatherford,505-254-2299. [email protected]

MISSISSIPPI • SPRING SAMBOREE, April 21–24.Mississippi Horse Park, Starkville. Contact: Bobbie Smith, [email protected]

OKLAHOMA • SPRING SAMBOREE, April 21–24.Heart of Oklahoma Exposition, Shawnee. Contact: Patricia Wade, 580-264-0147. [email protected]

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA • SPIRIT OF ’76 SAM-BOREE, April 28–May 1. Grape FestivalGrounds, Lodi. Contact: Ulla Steele,

209-747-2966. www.norcalgoodsam.org

NORTH CAROLINA • SPRING SAMBOREE,April 29–May 1. Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCampground, Concord. Contact: Keith andYvonne Braswell, 919-880-7490. www.ncstategoodsam.com

MAYFLORIDA • SPRING SAMBOREE, May 4–8.KOA Campgrounds, Okeechobee. Contact: Robert Ward, [email protected]

TENNESSEE • SPRING SAMBOREE, May 12–15.James E. Ward Agricultural Center, Lebanon.Contact: Ron Masterson, 423-365-4392. [email protected] www.tngoodsam.com

OHIO • SPRING SAMBOREE, May 13–15.Muskingum County Fairgrounds, Zanesville. Contact: Dave Spragg, [email protected]

WEST VIRGINIA • SPRING SAMBOREE,May 13–15. Butcher Bend 4-H Grounds, Mineral Wells. Contact: Don and Kathy Wise,[email protected]

MINNESOTA • SPRING SAMBOREE, May 19–22.Steele County Fairgrounds, Owatonna.

CLUBeventsGood Sam Club chapters across

North America regularly host RV

gatherings known as Samborees.

As a Good Sam member, you

can visit these events in any

state or province.

For our complete calendar, go

to www.goodsamclub.com/

community/eventsandtours.aspx

Go to www.goodsamclub.com/community, clickon the Chapters tab, then click on the appropri-ate state or province. You’ll find your director’smailing address, website and e-mail links.

Contact Your Good Sam State or Provincial Director


http://www.goodsams-florida.org


http://www.arizonagoodsam.org


http://www.nevadagoodsam.com


http://www.georgiagoodsam.com


http://www.texasgoodsam.com


http://www.socalgoodsam.org


http://www.alabamagoodsams.org


http://www.lagoodsam.org


http://www.nmgoodsam.com


http://www.msgoodsam.org


http://www.oklahomagoodsams.com


http://www.norcalgoodsam.org

http://www.ncstategoodsam.com


http://www.goodsams-florida.org


http://www.tngoodsam.com


http://www.ohiogoodsam.com


http://www.wvgoodsams.com



http://www.goodsamclub.com/community/eventsandtours.aspx

Woke up in Scottsdale. Broke down outside Flagstaff. Still had time to visit the Grand Canyon.

For over 25 years, Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service has been there to help RVers and their

families with every kind of roadside emergency — from dispatching a mechanic for minor repairs to big-time tow

jobs. With unlimited distance towing to the nearest network service facility, you don’t have to worry about where

or when you breakdown. We also provide battery jumps, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery to help get you back

on the road as quickly as possible. Get Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service and make sure you get there…

wherever “there” may be.

Join today and get a FREE $10 Phone Card. Mention the savings code 28RS

and Good Sam Members pay just $79.95 for the first year.

FREE $10 phone card when you join!

1-800-865-6897 28RS www.goodsamers.com/join/28RS/

e up in Scottsdale.okWWoe doBrok

e up in Scottsdale.wn outside Flagstafe do

e up in Scottsdale.fd Fl g t fff

f.

e doBroktill had time to visit the Grand CanS

years, 25 over For

kind y everwith families

unlimited ith Wjobs.

wn outside Flagstafe dotill had time to visit the Grand Can

years, gency EmerV RRVSam Good

emergency roadside of kind

the towing distance unlimited

fde Flagstaffftill had time to visit the Grand Can

viceSerRoad gency has

mechanic a dispatching from —

facilityvice network

f.yon.nd Canny

ersVVeRhelp to there been has

big-time to repairs minor for mechanic

about have don’

yon.

their and

tow big-time

where about

unlimited ith Wjobs.

breakdown.you when or

quickly as road the on



and Good Sam Members pay just $79.95 for the first year

nearest the to towing distance unlimited

batterprovide also eWWebreakdown.

Good Get possible.as quickly



and Good Sam Members pay just $79.95 for the first year

,facilityy,vice sernetwork nearest

changes, tire flat jumps, y batter

SerRoad Emergency V RSam


.5 for the first yearr.

about y worrto have t don’you

get help to y deliverfuel and

get you sure make and vice Ser

Join today and get a FREE $10 Phone Card. Mention the savings code 28RSFR$10 phonecar

ou join!y

where about

back you get

there… get

EEFR$10 phone

d whencarou join!

Call 1-800-865-6897or visit www

7 and mentio00-865-6897.goodsamers.com/www.

and mention code 28RS.goodsamers.com/join/28RS/


CLUBeventsContact: Brenda O’Neil, 320-584-8076.www.mngoodsamclub.com

VIRGINIA • SPRING SAMBOREE,May 20–22. Bethpage CampResort, Urbanna. Contact:Bud Wickham, [email protected] www.vagoodsam.org

INDIANA • SPRING SAMBOREE,May 27–30. Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, Lebanon.Contact: Wayne and CaroleCrise, [email protected]

MARYLAND • SPRING SAMBOREE,May 27–30. Frederick Fairgrounds, Frederick. Contact: Linda Hankins, 410-780-4209. [email protected]

MASSACHUSETTS • LOBSTERSAMBOREE, May 27–30.Franklin County Fairgrounds,Greenfield. Contact: FrancesBrown, [email protected] www.massgoodsam.com

JUNEMANITOBA AND NORTHWEST ONTARIO • SAMBOREE,June 1–5. Manitoba Agricul-tural Museum, Austin. Contact: Sharon Burke, [email protected]

KENTUCKY • SPRING SAM-BOREE, June 2–4. MeadeCounty Fairgrounds, Bran -denburg. Contact: DianeMulkins, [email protected]

WASHINGTON • STATE SAMBOREE, June 2–4.Grant County Fairgrounds, Moses Lake. Contact: Dave Dewitt, 509-435-6089.ddd.1835@yahoo.comwww.washingtonstategoodsam.kendra.com

MAINE • STATE SAMBOREE,June 3–5. Farmington Fair-grounds, Farmington. Contact: Diane Qualey, [email protected] www.mainegoodsams.org

UTAH • STATE SAMBOREE,June 8–11. Juab County Fairgrounds, Nephi. Contact: Harold Jacklin, 801-785-2288. [email protected]

SASKATCHEWAN • PROVINCIALSAMBOREE, June 8–12. Prince Albert ExhibitionGrounds. Contact: Kathy Henfrey, [email protected]

IDAHO • STATE SAMBOREE,June 9–12. Grangeville. Contact: Mavis Fischer, 208-667-7721. [email protected]

ALBERTA • PROVINCIAL SAM-BOREE, June 15–19.Stettler District AgriculturalComplex, Stettler. Contact: Rodger and Mary Thomas, 403-742-0895. www.rvalberta.ca

OREGON • STATE SAMBOREE,June 15–19. Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Madras. Contact: Don Nedrow,


http://www.goodsamers.com/join/28RS

http://www.mngoodsamclub.com


http://www.vagoodsam.org


http://www.indianagoodsam.com


http://www.mdgoodsam.org

http://www.massgoodsam.com


http://www.mannwontgoodsamclub.com


http://www.kentuckygoodsam.com


http://www.washingtonstategoodsam.kendra.com


http://www.mainegoodsams.org


http://www.utahgoodsam.org


http://www.saskgoodsam.com


http://www.idahogoodsam.org

http://www.rvalberta.ca





503-702-5293. [email protected]

SOUTH DAKOTA • STATE SAMBOREE, June 16–19.Brown County Fairgrounds, Aberdeen. Contact: DonnaKatzer, 605-341-7255. [email protected]

WISCONSIN • STATE SAMBOREE, June 16–19.Tomah Recreation Park, Tomah. Contact: Sharon Kreul, 608-222-7115. [email protected]

QUÉBEC • DISCOVER A NEWPLACE SAMBOREE, June 17–19. Evergreen Camping and Resort, Alfred. Contact:J.P. Tremblay. [email protected] www.quebecgoodsam.com

RHODE ISLAND • HAWAIIANSAMBOREE, June 17–19.Washington County Fair-ground, Richmond. Contact: John Rousseau,[email protected]

BRITISH COLUMBIA •BACK TO THE ’50S SAMBOREE, June 22–25.Chilliwack Heritage Center,Chilliwack. www.bcsams.ca

WYOMING • STATE SAMBOREE,June 22–26. Park County Fairgrounds, Powell. Contact:Pat Garry, 307-362-5871. [email protected]

IOWA • STATE SAMBOREE,June 23–26. Amana RV Park,Amana. Contact: LoreneHynes, [email protected]

MICHIGAN • STATE SAMBOREE,June 23–26. Ogemaw CountyFairgrounds, West Branch.Contact: Ron Clapp, 616-990-5010. [email protected] www.michigangoodsam.org

JULYPENNSYLVANIA • STATE SAMBOREE, July 1–3. CentreCounty Fairgrounds, CentreHall. Contact: Kitty Hauck,Williamsport, 570-435-2303. [email protected]

www.pagoodsam.com

MONTANA • STATE SAMBOREE, July 6–10.Butte Civic Center, Butte. Contact: Cheryl Neilson, [email protected]

NEW YORK • FARM DAYS SAMBOREE, July 8–10.Herkimer County Fair-grounds, Frankfort. Contact: Glen Gasstrom,315-894-3907. [email protected] www.newyorkgoodsam.com

OHIO • GONE FISHING SAMBOREE, July 14–17.Auglaize County Fair-grounds, Wapakoneta. Contact: Dave Spragg, 740-454-3704. [email protected]

ATLANTIC CANADA •HAWAIIAN SAMBOREE,July 15–17. Expo FestivalCentre, Abram Village, PEI. Contact: Carlos Perry, 902-678-4230.carlos.perry@ns.sympatico.cawww.atlantic-gs.webs.com

CLUBevents


http://www.oregongoodsam.com



http://www.wigoodsam.org


http://www.quebecgoodsam.com

http://www.bcsams.ca


http://www.wyominggoodsam.com


http://www.iowagoodsam.com


http://www.michigangoodsam.org


http://www.pagoodsam.com


http://www.montanagoodsam.com


http://www.newyorkgoodsam.com


http://www.ohiogoodsam.com


http://www.atlantic-gs.webs.com



http://rvworldinc.com/

Since September 2005,

Action Line has received

9,468 letters from

you and recovered

$530,070.95

The Good Sam Club’s ActionLine has resolved thousands of disputes in favor of members. If you have an RV- or travel-related issue to resolve, go to www.goodsamclub.com/community and click on RVerRights or send an e-mail to [email protected].

nline...

I called Westago’s Area Wholesale Tire andasked for reimbursement. The manager toldme that he needed to see the tire, but Dis-count Tire in Tucson had disposed of the dam-aged tire. Area Wholesale Tire suggested that I call Duro’s main office and ask for reimburse-ment. I left numerous messages with Duro buthaven’t received a call back.

My goal is to get reimbursed for the cost ofthe replacement tire plus the repair, a total of$159.77, from either Area Wholesale Tire orDuro Tire Company.

Barry Zander, MADISON, SOUTH DAKOTA

ACTION LINE: After sending a petition to DuroTire and Wheel on behalf of Good Sam Clubmember Barry Zander, Action Line received the following response from Travis Klingseisen, account executive at Duro.

Our tires are warranted against manufacturedefects by reasons of improper workmanshipor materials for a period of 36 months fromthe date of the manufacture code stated oneach tire or the first 2⁄32-inch tread wear,whichever comes first. In the event of a valid

warranty claim, Duro Tire and Wheel Corpora-tion will provide a comparable new Duro brandreplacement tire.

In this case, the customer admits to havinga bolt lodged in his tire and that the tire wasrepaired incorrectly by a third party. An incor-rectly repaired tire doesn’t qualify as a war-rantable matter under our warranty guidelines.The best offer we’d have beenable to extend to the customerat the time would have beento allow him to purchase anew tire from us at a dis-counted cost.

Since the customer has al-ready purchased a new tireand this isn’t considered awarrantable claim under ourwarranty guidelines, we’re not able to fulfill thecustomer’s request to reimburse him for thecost of the replacement tire plus the repair.

We do apologize for any inconveniencecaused by the lack of communication on thismatter. We thank Highways for bringing thismatter to our attention, and if there’s anything

further needed to resolve this issue, pleasecontact me.

Read the Fine PrintWe have a five-year warranty for our FleetwoodWilderness 27-foot travel trailer through Easy-Care RV Extended Service contracts. When wepurchased the warranty in 2006 for $1,372from U.S. Adventure RV of Quad Cities LLC inDavenport, Iowa, we were told that it covered“everything.”

Recently, the RV had a catastrophic failureof a wheel bearing on the left-rear axle. It de-stroyed the bearings and scarred the axle. Mymechanic friend and I were able to make aroadside repair to enable us to get the trailerto U.S. Adventure RV in Davenport without further damage.

U.S. Adventure phoned EasyCare and wastold to go ahead with necessary repairs as

they were covered. The service departmentbegan looking into the required parts and de-termined a replacement axle was needed andinformed us by phone.

Two days later, I received a call from theU.S. Adventure’s service department statingthat EasyCare wouldn’t cover the axle because

Good Sam membersget a grip on tire trouble, trim a bloatedbill, thaw a fridge recall and ask for axle-damage recovery.


Tire TurnaroundWe purchased four Duro RV tires from Area Wholesale Tire in Westwego, Louisiana, in2009. During a recent trip back in the area, a bolt lodged in one of the tires. Our roadservice removed the tire so I could drop it off at Area Wholesale Tire Company for repair.They repaired and reinstalled the tire.

Two days after that, we arrived in Tucson, Arizona, and realized the tire had a slow leak.Discount Tire in Tucson removed the tire and told us the previous repair was done incor-rectly, using only a patch instead of a plug and a patch. We bought a replacement tire for$146.72 and left for Southern California.

BY BETTY ABRAMSON

ACTIONline

The customer admits to having a bolt lodged inhis tire and that the tirewas repaired incorrectly

by a third party.





PASS THE BUCK

■ ■

■ ■

1-877-387-7334

One Good Sam member from Carson City saved a net of $15,654.60 for a complete

engine replacement when the piston rings on his rig's engine melted down.

“I am a new customer. AfAA tff er onlyll payaa ing twtt o months of premiums, Good Sam

ExEE tended Servrr ice Plan replaced mymm engine! I am veryrr happy that I decided to

purchase this." C.J.JJ Carsrr on City, NV

Deductible: $500ToTT tal premium payments: $1,409.92

ToTT tal Repair Cost: $17,564.70 ToTT tal Savings: $15,654.60

Good Sam Extended Service Protection is reliable Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

that is better than an extended warranty. This program was designed exclusively for

the Good Sam Club by Affinity Brokerage, Inc. – and is available onlyy to Good Sam

Club members.

This affordable plan offers Good Sam members more dependable coverage than many

unregulated extended warranties. The Good Sam plan is a genuine insurance policy

underwritten by QBE Europe/Lloyds of London, regulated insurance carriers with an

A+ rating for their outstanding financial stability.

Over 45,000 smart RVers have discovered how to "pass the buck" and save thousands

of dollars on expensive RV repair.

$17,564.70 engine replacement –

and the owner is still smiling

His secret?

Pass the buck!

Piston ring melts – causes

catastrophic engine failure


the warranty didn’t specifically list it.Later, EasyCare phoned the service de-partment of U.S. Adventure and statedthat they wouldn’t cover any of the otherrepairs. We don’t know their reasoning.

The trailer has been sitting at U.S. Adventure awaiting parts, and we’d likesome assistance on resolving this prob-lem or the return of the $1,372 that thewarranty contract cost us.

Raymond Cheely, ELDRIDGE, IOWA

ACTION LINE: After a petition was senton behalf of Good Sam Club memberRaymond Cheely, we received the follow-ing correspondence from EasyCareclaims legal analyst Rebekka J. Litz.

Since Mr. Cheely selected the TowableBox level of coverage for his vehicle-service contract, only the componentsspecifically listed under items 13through 27 of the What Is Covered sec-tion of the contract are eligible for cover-age. Unfortunately, the axle isn’t listedamong the covered components underthe contract’s Towable Box coverage. Ad-ditionally, regarding any subsequent fail-ures that may have been caused by thefailed axle, please be advised that thecontract contains a specific exclusion forthe failure “of a covered part damagedby a non-covered part.”

Under these circumstances, we be-lieve the administrative office actedproperly and in full compliance with theterms and conditions of Mr. Cheely’s ve-hicle-service contract in declining to au-thorize the replacement of the axle. We

regret any inconvenience Mr. Cheely mayhave experienced as a result of his serv-ice contract’s inability to provide assis-tance with this particular repair.

We note that Mr. Cheely also re-quested a total refund of the purchaseprice of the vehicle-service contract.While the administrative office is nolonger able to issue a full refund of con-tract purchase price (the contract hasbeen in effect for well over 30 days andtwo past claims have been authorizedand paid), a pro-rata cancellation refundwould be available based on the amountof the remaining contract term.

Bill OverkillI purchased a used motorhome via eBayfrom a person in Winter Haven, Florida. It needed some suspension repairs, so Ihad it sent to Lazydays RV Center centerin Seffner, Florida.

I live in Illinois, 1,000 miles away, and I didn’t know much about the sus-pension on this motorhome. I was calledand told the air bags were no good andneeded to be replaced. They said thecompressor was OK and just needed acouple lines replaced.

I asked Lazydays to wash and wax theRV. I also requested an interior cleaningand asked them to check the generatorand give an estimate on the jet-air sus-pension. I was told it would cost $120for checking the generator and the jet-airsuspension would cost $1,200 at most.

Eventually, I got there to pick up theRV and paid the bill. I started driving and

ACTIONline



http://www.goodsamrvinsurance.com/

Debbie Rehm Telephone Claims RepresentativeRVing for: 13 yearsWorking for GMAC Insurance: 33 yearsCurrent RV: 1997 Jayco 5th Wheel Furry Friend: Buster Brown

“Being an RVer enables me to under-stand the needs and concerns of our RV customers. I have been told many times by our customers how much they appre-ciate talking to someone who knows RVs and understands their needs, especially when they are out on the road and have an accident. I have enjoyed working with these wonderful people for many years. RVers really do look out for each other!”

Call 1-877-567-3430 now for a free quote.

REAL RV PROTECTION from

REAL RVers!

DON’T HIT THE ROAD WITHOUT

We Know RVs!

Mention Savings Code VB-8F to see how much your Good Sam Member rate can save you!


found out nothing had been cleaned. Wecouldn’t sleep in it, so we stayed at amotel that night and finished drivinghome the next day.

Regarding the jet-air suspension, Idon’t think they understood me when I’doriginally asked them for an air-assistrear repair. I didn’t know at the timewhether the airbags where in the front or rear. I later found out they’re in front.

However, the labor charge was for therear, not the front. Other RV-repair cen-ters charge four to five hours labor andflat rates of $440 for front airbags. Theycharged me $552 labor for 4.6 hours,$176.88 for parts and two more hourslabor for installing two new air lines and$89.99 for the parts. I approved this re-pair but, again, thought this was for therear suspension.

The charges for labor were $1,320 forthe suspension and $120 for the gener-ator, totaling $1,440. The labor pricesaren’t right.

The next day I called and said I wasovercharged for services and requestedthey look into it and call back. No callback, so I e-mailed pictures of the thingsI paid for.

I called supervisor P.J. DeGeorgio anumber of times, and finally on Septem-ber 15 and he said a check will be sentfor a full refund for cleaning, but all theother charges were correct. He said theycharged a $120-an-hour and used thestandard flat rate for services. I alsoasked how they could charge $120 forchecking the generator when nothing

was removed. The gas line was fueled tothe gas feed from the tank. I know thisbecause I took the generator out andstarting testing for problems.

Anthony Keslik, RICHVIEW, ILLINOIS

ACTION LINE: After sending a petitionto Lazydays, we received the followingcorrespondence from Good Sam memberAnthony Keslik.

I received a telephone call from Lazy-days regarding the Action Line letter. Italked to a Lori Valentine. She askedwhat happened, and I explained thethings I wasn’t satisfied with and toldher I’d like a refund for some of the laborhours I was billed for. She said she’dtalk to her manager, Mr. DeGeorgio, andget back to me.

She called back and said they’d agreeto my request. I later received a refundcheck. Lazydays said there’d be no hardfeelings, and if I wanted they’d correctmost of the problems.

I want to thank Action Line for theirhelp in getting me a refund for some ofthe labor.

Fridge Refund ThawWe recently replaced our Norcold1200LRIM refrigerator because it leakedcoolant, giving the motorhome a very,very strong smell of ammonia.

We contacted Midwest RV Center, andthey informed us there was a recall onthe Norcold refrigerators. However, Nor-cold refused to cover the repairs or re-placement of the refrigerator because

ACTIONline



GOOD SAM VISA SIGNATURE CARDHOLDERS NOW EARN REWARDS FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE!

5 REC REWARDS points

1 REC REWARDS point

2,500 Bonus REC REWARDS points

2,000 points:

5,000 points:

8,000 points:

10,000 points:

3 REC REWARDS points

NEW

GET THE RICHEST REWARDS CARD CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR RVERS

foNN

o

1or 201NEWNEWor 20

That’s right, we’ll give you

3 REC REWARDSThat’s right, we’ll give you

for every $1 you points3 REC REWARDS

for every $1 you

You’ll also get:

Camping World purchases.5 REC REWARDS

1 REC REWARDS

2,500 Bonus Plus,

You’ll also get:

Camping World purchases. for every $1 you spend on Good Sam memberships, services and points5 REC REWARDS

1 REC REWARDS

pointsREC REWARDS2,500 Bonus

for every $1 you spend on everyday purchases everywhere Visa is accepted. point

and Canada, including Good Sam Parks.

That’s right, we’ll give you

for every $1 you spend on Good Sam memberships, services and

either after your first purchase on the card OR a balance transfer.2 points

for every $1 you spend on everyday purchases everywhere Visa is accepted.

and Canada, including Good Sam Parks.

3 REC REWARDSThat’s right, we’ll give you

for every $1 you spend on Good Sam memberships, services and

either after your first purchase on the card OR a balance transfer.


for every $1 you points3 REC REWARDS

either after your first purchase on the card OR a balance transfer.


for every $1 you

And in as little as 30 days you can earn rewards like these:

2,000

$15 Camping World Gift CardMembership, Trailer Life Campground Directory or a

5,000 $50 for camping or a Camp Club USA 1-Year Membership

8,000

Gift CardRV Emergency Road Service, a $50 Gas Card or a $50 Restaurant

10,000


points:

$15 Camping World Gift CardMembership, Trailer Life Campground Directory or a

choose from a Good Sam Club 1-year

$50 for camping or a Camp Club USA 1-Year Membership choose from a $50 Camping World Gift Card, :points

Gift CardRV Emergency Road Service, a $50 Gas Card or a $50 Restaurant

a 1-Year Membership in Good Sam choose from :points

10,000 choose from a 1-Year membership in Good Sam Platinum RV Emergency Road Service, :points


Membership, Trailer Life Campground Directory or a choose from a Good Sam Club 1-year

$50 for camping or a Camp Club USA 1-Year Membership choose from a $50 Camping World Gift Card,

RV Emergency Road Service, a $50 Gas Card or a $50 Restauranta 1-Year Membership in Good Sam

choose from a 1-Year membership in Good Sam Platinum RV Emergency Road Service,


d.com/GS46

CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR RVERS

.goodsamcarwwwONLINE

GET THE RICHEST REWARDS CARD

CALL (mention code GS46)1-866-621-0531


d.com/GS46

CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR RVERS

(mention code GS46)

GET THE RICHEST REWARDS CARD

10,000

1

$75 Cash Back, $100 Gas Card, $100 in camping or Motorola 2-way Radios

Cardmembers will earn three (3) Rec Rewards Points for every one dollar ($1.00) of Net Purchases made with the Account, rounded to the nearest dollar, for retail establishments that classify their merchant location to Visa as Campgrounds and Trailer Parks.

2

complete Terms and Conditions please visit www.goodsamcard.com/GS46.Checks do not qualify for bonus points). Bonus Rec Rewards Points will be posted approximately 30 days after the initial qualifying transaction. To review the A one-time bonus award of (2,500) Rec Rewards Points will be awarded after the first purchase or balance transfer is posted to the Account (Balance Transfer

10,000 $75 Cash Back, $100 Gas Card, $100 in camping or Motorola 2-way Radios

choose from a 1-Year membership in Good Sam Platinum RV Emergency Road Service, :points



$75 Cash Back, $100 Gas Card, $100 in camping or Motorola 2-way Radios choose from a 1-Year membership in Good Sam Platinum RV Emergency Road Service,



$75 Cash Back, $100 Gas Card, $100 in camping or Motorola 2-way Radios choose from a 1-Year membership in Good Sam Platinum RV Emergency Road Service,


Checks do not qualify for bonus points). Bonus Rec Rewards Points will be posted approximately 30 days after the initial qualifying transaction. To review the A one-time bonus award of (2,500) Rec Rewards Points will be awarded after the first purchase or balance transfer is posted to the Account (Balance Transfer


Cardmembers will earn three (3) Rec Rewards Points for every one dollar ($1.00) of Net Purchases made with the Account, rounded to the nearest dollar,

Checks do not qualify for bonus points). Bonus Rec Rewards Points will be posted approximately 30 days after the initial qualifying transaction. To review the A one-time bonus award of (2,500) Rec Rewards Points will be awarded after the first purchase or balance transfer is posted to the Account (Balance Transfer

3

complete Terms and Conditions please visit www.goodsamcard.com/GS46.

Offer subject to credit approval. Benefits will vary depending upon the card for which you are approved. Not everyone will qualify for the Visa Signature card.

The Good Sam Visa Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware

of this credit card program please visit www.GoodSamCard.com/GS46 for complete Terms and Conditions.about the rates, fees, other costs, and the reward program rules (including point accrual rate, bonus point awards, etc.) and benefits associated with the use account terms and benefits that will apply if you are not approved for a Visa Signature card. This offer is available to new Cardmembers only. For information a Platinum Card with fewer benefits. See Terms and Conditions accompanying the application or visit www.goodsamcard.com/GS46 for information about the If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit or income criteria for this offer, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive












about the rates, fees, other costs, and the reward program rules (including point accrual rate, bonus point awards, etc.) and benefits associated with the use account terms and benefits that will apply if you are not approved for a Visa Signature card. This offer is available to new Cardmembers only. For information a Platinum Card with fewer benefits. See Terms and Conditions accompanying the application or visit www.goodsamcard.com/GS46 for information about the If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit or income criteria for this offer, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive


their recall only went to the year 2003,and we have a 2006 Monaco Camelot.It’s my understanding, however, that ourrefrigerator’s problem is the same prob-lem afflicting the units under recall.

Norcold also claimed we never hadthe fridge serviced. We disagree withthis, as it was bought used along withour Good Sam Certified motorhome fromBeaudry RV in Tucson, Arizona. We be-lieve that this refrigerator was servicedby Beaudry in February 2008 at the timeof purchase.

Midwest RV Center recommended wenot repair the refrigerator and should in-stead replace it. We had to do some-thing, so we replaced the unit at a costof $4,000.

William J. O’Shaughnessy, ST. PAUL, MISSOURI

ACTION LINE: After sending a petition

to Norcold on behalf of Good Sam Clubmember William J. O’Shaughnessy, we re-ceived a copy of the following responsefrom Norcold to Mr. O’Shaughnessy.

It’s our service philosophy to pay atten-tion to the consumer and then make aneffort to resolve their issues quickly andcompletely. Unfortunately, to our dismay,this didn’t happen with your situation.

After review, Norcold has decided torefund you the amount of $1,121. Thisis above any typical replacement costs,but most importantly, satisfies your re-quest. Your unit didn’t fall under recalland was out of warranty when you pur-chased a new refrigerator in 2009.

A check will be mailed from our Ohiooffice. You should receive within two tofour weeks. Mr. O’Shaughnessy, we re-gret any inconvenience this has caused.Thank you for your patience.

ACTIONline

In recent months, a number of Good Sam members have sent letters to Action Line requesting help in seekingrefunds from Heritage Warranty.

To address the claims, Heritage Warranty has posted information on itswebsite, www.heritagewarranty.com, forcustomers who have questions regard-ing their claims. The site also has asearch field for Heritage claim num-bers that provides an estimated pay-ment date. Action Line advises

customers to work directly with Her-itage online to resolve their claimsrather than go through Highways andthe Good Sam Club.

The website states that Heritage War-ranty Insurance RRG Inc. (an affiliatedcompany that provides insurance forHeritage’s service contract obligations)is “in runoff and has not written or re-newed any business since early 2008 incompliance with requests of the SouthCarolina Department of Insurance.”

Heritage to Handle Claims DirectlyExtended-warranty customers seeking refunds can go online for updates

http://www.goodsamcard.com/GS46



http://www.GoodSamCard.com/GS46

http://www.heritagewarranty.com



StepDaddy LadderLooking for a safe way to ac-cess your truck bed withoutrisking a fall? The fold-downStepDaddy Ladder fits mostpickups, mounting on eitherside of the tailgate and in-stalling in 30 minutes. TheU.S.-made product can be removed easily and has asafety handle, diamond-platesteps, steel construction anda lifetime guarantee. DavidCavanaugh, a Good Sammember from Monroe, Geor-gia, installed the StepDaddyLadder on his pickup and says, “I had to load sev-eral large boxes into my truck bed, and the laddermade it very easy to enter and exit.”PRICE: $179CONTACT: StepDaddy Ladder877-477-7154, www.stepdaddyladder.comCLICK HERE to sign up to be a Good

Sam product tester.

nline...


EDITED BY MEAGHAN ALFIERTESTED AND REVIEWED BY MEMBERS

Aqua-CleanKitchen and Bath CleanerKeeping the surfaces ofyour RV clean is a toughtask that too often cuts intovaluable recreation time.Thetford’s environmen-tally friendly Aqua-Clean Kitchen andBath Cleaner is formu-lated with foaming bub-bles to quickly lift dirt,soap scum, rust stainsand hard-water spots,making it a good choice for RVowners with limited time toclean. Good Sam product testerDaniel Sistrunk from Moore,South Carolina, spiffed up his RV with his free sample of Aqua-Clean and reports, “It has a lowodor and is very effective withminimal scrubbing.”PRICE: Varies depending on retailerCONTACT: Thetford Corporation, 800-543-1219, www.thetford.com

LoopRope Tie-DownsThe road can be bumpy, so keeping things tied down is anecessity. LoopRope secures loose items without the tan-gles of conventional rope or the threat of snapping backposed by bungee cords. LoopRope is made of doubled-up 1⁄4 - inch-thick heavy-duty shock cord that can be se-cured in a variety of ways with military-grade S clips.Raymond Barrett Jr., a Good Sam member from Ben-salem, Pennsylvania, combined several LoopRopes that hetested to make a cargo net and reports, “Packing up for a tripis now less of a chore.”PRICE: $19.95 for 4 feet, $21.95 for 5 feetCONTACT: LoopRope, 541-770-5667, www.looprope.com

SolarGoose MirrorInspection LightWith SolarGoose’s MirrorInspection Light, RVers can illuminate hard-to-reach placeswithout costly batteries. The lightuses solar power to charge its LED bulb,which is positioned on a mirror at the endof an adjustable neck. The mirror and flexible neck help RVers see ob-structed areas—from engine compartments to other nooks and crannies.Richard Doss, a Good Sam product tester from Yakima, Washington, tooka shine to the product and tells us, “This frees both hands so you canwork on whatever you’re trying to see with the mirror.” PRICE: $34.95CONTACT: Solar LED Innovations770-855-1221, www.solargoose.com

http://www.thetford.com

http://www.looprope.com

http://www.solarledflashlights.com

http://www.stepdaddyladder.com



http://www.goodsamclub.com/memberbenefitdetails.aspx?f=0&catid=22

RV MARKETPLACE RV MARKETPLACE

RV MARKETPLACERV MARKETPLACEYou can placea 1-inch black-and-white adfor as little as

for each ad,based on a 12-issueschedule

SIZES AVAILABLE IN

Call for information about adver tising

800-765-1912EXTENSION 385

$685•black-and-white•two-color•four-color adsads

www.goodsamclub.comtable of contents40 Highways FEBRUARY 2011

THE S !H KIA GN

Reviewed by Trailer Life September 2010

What’s The Difference?Tighten 3 conveniently

located handles.

That’s it, your parked 5th wheel or travel trailer is STEADY Fast!

The Convenient & Simple 45 Second Solution

Visit Toll-Free

www.steadyfast.com 866-498-8754

STOP

STEADYfast®

Honda GeneratorsSuper SaleSuper S

Remote starter availablewith this generator $239

Honda GeneratorHonda GeneratorModel #EU-3000is$1,799

1-888-617-7333

*Now Available: NEW EU6500is,Pair of EU-2000’s and Parallel Cables $1979

www speedwaysales com/Honda

Free Shipping

ock & Ready to ShipIn Stoonda GeneratorHoodel #EU-2000iMo$899

EZ Flow Fuel System

Single System $109.95Dual System $139.95

FREE S/HAdds Up to 50 Hours Run Timewww.vmsales.com

866-551-1590See Trailer Life April 2009 Hands On

THE ORIGINAL

JIRAH COMPANY 909-297-1926www.jirahled.com

[email protected]

LONGER BODY TO REPLACE 1383 BULBS

GOT FLOOD?NEW!

#JC-12SMD-ABSold Separately

JIRAH LEDINTERIOR FLOOD LIGHTS:

• WIDE FLOOD BEAM

• USE 1/5 THE POWER

• RUN COOL

• 50,000 HOURS

GET FLOODED!

www.xp3hornet.com

DEER ACCIDENTS

IT WORKS!

ARE ON THE RISE

Proven to be the ONLY effective device for avoiding costly and deadly deer accidents

with tens of thousands in daily use.

Electronic Deer Avoidance System

Effective at any Speed

When You Hit A DeerYou Will Lose

You Can't Afford to Drive Without . . .

TheR

In many areas your odds are less than 1 in 3 of having a

deer/vehicle accident this year

Go to our Website Now!Get the Facts!

1-800-475-3563

WARNING!

For Use On:Cars

TrucksMotorcycles

Buses

501 W. Yellowstone, Casper, WY 82601(800) 577-9350 www.stalkupsrv.com

Lowest Pricing onComplete Line of

Yamaha Generators

THE NATION’S LARGEST RV OUTFITTERFREE Shipping on all parts orders over $100!

501 W. Yellowstone, Casper, WY 82601

(800) 577-9350 www.stalkupsrv.com

THE NATION’S LARGEST RV OUTFITTERFREE Shipping on all parts orders over $100!

$1,199

24000isEF2Model EwnhoSh

www.poliglowproducts.com800-922-5013 • Poli Glow Products, Inc.

NEVER WAX AGAIN• Easy 2-step process. Wipe on. Let dry.

And it looks like new. Will last over12 months.

• Guaranteed.

Our video demoon our website!

SOLAR POWER • SOLAR PANELS

• POWER INVERTERS

• CATALYTIC HEATERS

• RV-TRUCK ACCESSORIES Call for our FREE catalog and design planner

1-800-999-8520

RvSolarElectric.com

800-806-7109www.iloveebikes.com

Go Electric when you park!10 models of Electric Bikes to choose from,for healthier, more convenient transportation.

IBERTYElectric Bikes

Dogs for the DeafRescuing Dogs and Helping People since 1977

Dogs for the DeafRescuing Dogs and Helping People since 1977

and independence.These dogs provide freedom, security

have autism, or other disabilities or challenges.with people who are deaf, hard of hearing,

trains them, and places them free of charge organization that rescues dogs from shelters,

isit us on line orV

,These dogs provide freedom, securityhave autism, or other disabilities or challenges.

with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, trains them, and places them free of charge

organization that rescues dogs from shelters,

V parking availableR

, except for holidays.Fridayy,Open Monday through ours at 10 am and 2pmTTo

1pm, and 2pm1am, ours at 10am, 1TTo

OUR SCHEDULET

hear from youOur dogs would lo

beautiful training caby for a tour of oisit us on line or V

http://www.stalkupsrv.com

http://www.steadyfast.com

http://www.vmsales.com

http://www.jirahled.com


http://www.xp3hornet.com


http://www.stalkupsrv.com

http://www.poliglowproducts.com

http://www.iloveebikes.com


http://www.steadyfast.com

http://www.ricksESV.com

http://www.speedwaysales.com/Honda

www.calmarkcovers.com

www.waterkingusa.com

http://www.fumotovalve.com

www.powercaster.com

www.NewGlass2.com

http://www.rec-direct.com/boliy

http://www.FutureSteel-Deal.com

http://www.readybrake.com

www.RvSolarElectric.com

www.dogsforthedeaf.org

Highways FEBRUARY 201141 www.goodsamclub.comtable of contents

COMMERCIAL CORNERHOMES FOR SALE

LUXURY NEW HOMES IN LAUGHLIN NV 50' RVGarages - 40' Boat Garages. 3 Bedroom, 2 bath.Single Story. Energy Star. Call for information at800-828-2744 or visit www.laughlinhomes.net

Retama Village-Live Here, Play Here, Stay HereAt our exclusive 55+ active adult community in the fabulous Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.Large RV Sites, RV Port Homes and Single FamilyHomes. Clubhouse, library, pools, fitness center,billiards, hiking, biking, kayaking and birding.RV Sites from the mid $40s. RV Port Homes from$169,900. www.bentsenpalm.com 956-381-1500.

LOTS FOR SALESUNSHINE ACRES - SUNNY ARIZONA, First 10 lotsstarting at $40K. All lots include 2 complete RVhookups, 50 amp elec, phone, water, Mexican brickwall. NO HOA. Outback Realty, Illene Wood, Broker928-859-4141.

MAIL/MESSAGE SERVICES

SNOWBIRD MAIL & MESSAGEWe handle your mail as if it were our own! ANNUAL - $150 • MONTHLY - $18 Located in Newport, Oregonwww.snowbirdmail.com • 1-800-800-0710

MAIL FORWARDING SERVICESFast, sure, safe mail delivery. Low prices.OREGON HAS NO SALES TAX For FREE BROCHURE call (800) 452-2130 Visit us at www.mailforwardingservices.com

South Dakota Mail Forwarding/ResidencyLow rates for personalized mail forwarding Contact us about SD residency benefitsNO state income tax, LOW vehicle Reg. 1-866-202-2163 www.mydakotaaddress.com

OUR MAIL TRAVEL SERVICE • 800-723-0110 A Personalized Mail Forwarding Service • Merritt Island, FL • No State Income Tax • No Vehicle Inspection • Low RV Reg • 24 Yrs Exp• FREE BROCHURE • mailtravelservice.com

CAMPGROUND MEMBERSHIPSRESORT DIRECT. LIQUIDATING previously ownedpark memberships that are paid and inactive.Prices from $165. Include home park andmembership affiliations. All affiliations available.Frozen dues. 1-800-874-9690.

CAMPGROUND MEMBERSHIP OUTLET-SINCE 1991To buy 800-272-0401. To sell 800-952-0401. Any Membership -– NationwideBest prices ever.

HELP WANTEDGREAT JOBS IN GREAT PLACES! Experience America one job at a time living theWorkamper lifestyle. Jobs in campgrounds, parks,resorts, etc. For FREE BROCHURE & subscriptioninfo. 800-446-5627 www.workamper.com

SCHOOL CAMPER HOSTS needed,Mat-Su Alaska. 40 mi N of Anchorage. 36 sites from urban to rural. 5/28/11 to 8/6/11. Contact Bill at 907-373-2287, or Email [email protected]

CHRISTIAN RV’ERS - ADD REAL PURPOSE FOR you, your spouse, and your RV. Volunteer 4 days per week with SOWERS. Servants OnWheels Ever Ready. Call 903-882-8070 or visitwww.sowerministry.org

1880 TOWN ATTRACTION needs couples May-Sept.2011. Sales, tickets, gift shop, costume shop,cashiers, old saloon bartender, train diner help,housekeepers, maint, carpenter. Nonsmokersplease. Wages, RV parking provided. W/E/S. Send resume : 1880 Town, Box 507, Murdo, SD [email protected], cell 605-530-4032, fax 605-669-3263.

COOKING SHOW SALES REPS Americraft Cookware is seeking couples or individuals to demonstrate and sell cooking relateditems at trade shows/expos. Complete training call 352-483-7600 X204. Or apply online at www.cookingshowhost.com

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Travel where you want, stay in RV parks free and set your own income selling advertising for RV Parks, Motels, Colleges & Fairgrounds Directories.Up to 65% commission. Call 1-800-832-3292.

HOST/WORKING COUPLE W/RV WANTED.Apply for one-month stay. May through October.Free hookup/internet. Peaceful/historic site.Thumb Octagon Barn, Gagetown, MI www.thumboctagonbarn.org Call Dave 989-658-2133.

ESTABLISHED RV TOUR COMPANYseeks retired couples with top-level communications and management skills to explorenew horizons in RVing as contract wagon master at www.tracksrvtours.com. Click on wagon master opportunities for job description and application instructions.

ACCESSORIES

AVOID $$$ DAMAGE TO YOUR RV AND AIR CONDI-TIONING UNITS. GiraffeG4 will measure heights of overhead obstacles (bridges, trees) BEFORE you hit them. High Performance - Waterproof -In Cab Programmable read out. www.GiraffeG4.com 1-877-543-1087

EXTENSION CORDS - ADAPTERS SINCE 1947There’s a better way to purchase RV Extension Cords and Adapters www.HappyTrailsRVcords.com800-321-6160 • Fax 440-779-4901

LEAKY ROOF? Liquid Roof® goes on like paint —cures to a sealed EPDM rubber membrane. UV & Ozone resistant — good to 300º F. 5-year warranty. Info & brochure: 800-467-7135www.AdvancedRubberCoatings.com

BRAKE SYSTEMS#1 Original ToadStop Qi “Show Me the Stop!”ProPort Control makes dynamically controlled stops.Braking while you drive the Toad proves performance!No other system can do it! “It’s all about your Safety”800-478-7883 or www.toadstop.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESA 59-YR-OLD NAT’L ADVERTISING CO SEEKING Independent Contractors • Home or RV based • NO INVESTMENT or inventory • Immediate CashFlow • Like Selling call 1-800-299-0510.

CAMPGROUNDS/RV PARKSNW MINNEAPOLIS, MN AREA Camp by the Mississippi River. Private campground with full hookups, 50 amp, pool, views, close to Twin Cities. Visit us at www.mrarvpark.com

COMMERCIAL CORNER: Ads pub-lished in Highways’ CommercialCorner classifieds have beenplaced by private parties and busi-nesses that offer products or serv-ices for sale or rent. Unlike TradingPost advertisers, Commercial Cor-ner advertisers aren’t required tobe Good Sam Club members.

Have RVs or realestate to sell?Reach 2.5 million potential buyers!

Email [email protected] call 800-765-1912,extension 392.

RUN A COMMERCIAL CORNER AD WITH A COLORPHOTO AND BOLDFACE FIRSTLINE FOR ONLY $420.

DEALERS & DESTINATIONS

ALASKA

Send me a total of ____ copies of the 2011 RV Buyers Guidefor only $7.99 plus $2.00 shipping and handling per copy.

Total payment due: $__________� Check or money order enclosed��Charge my: ��Visa ��Mastercard ��Discover

CA residents please include 50¢ sales tax. Remit in U.S. funds only. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

CLIP OUT AND MAIL TO: 2011 RV Buyers Guide, PO Box 421090, Palm coast, FL 32142

Account # ______________________________________ Exp. Date __________

Signature __________________________________________________________

Name ____________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City ________________________________ State ______ Zip ______________

1-800-309-0311 • www.rvbg.com

Order Now & Save!Completely Revised & Updated for 2011

More than 400 Listings

��

��

� ��

11

Only$7.99plus $2 shipping & handling

The largest collection of new RV models inthe marketplace–all in one handy volume

The largest collection of new RV models inthe marketplace–all in one handy volume

28PQ

Maps, Rates & Discounts: www.desertgardensrvpark.comInquiries ~ Reservations: [email protected]

Tel: 520-868-3800 4 miles S of Florence, Arizona in the Village of Cactus Forest

WHY RENTWHEN YOUCAN OWN?SUPER SIZE SITESSTARTING AT$14,900PARK HOMES WITHSITE STARTING AT$44,900

All the amenities you’d expect at a price you can afford.• Clubhouse • Pool • Spa • Game room • Craft room • Fitness center • Woodworking shop • Laundry • Wi-Fi • Walking trails • Planned events & activities

ARIZONA U.S./CANADA

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The Good Sam logo is a registered trade-mark of Affinity Group Inc., a Delaware corporation. It may be used byGood Sam chapters for official noncommercial identification purposesonly and by others only with express written authorization in advancefrom Affinity Group, Inc. The noncommercial use for patches and othersimilar chapter identification has been granted to chartered chapters ofthe club. Any other use without express advance written authorization isprohibited. The following terms are registered trademarks of AffinityGroup, Inc., and may not be used without permission: Caraventure, Com-mercial Member of Good Sam RV Club, Good Sam Park, Highways, MotorHome, Rider, Samboree, Samgo, Trailer Life and the Trailer LifeCampgrounds, RV Parks and Services Directory. Highways does not know-ingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. If you have a contraryexperience with respect to any merchandise or service represented in ourpages, please contact Action Line at [email protected]. Per-mission to reprint or quote excerpts granted upon written request only.Copyright 2011.

Save 10% at all Good Sam ParksGOOD SAM MEMBERS

GoodSamClub.com

http://www.desertgardensrvpark.com



http://www.laughlinhomes.net

http://www.bentsenpalm.com

http://www.snowbirdmail.com

http://www.mailforwardingservices.com

http://www.mydakotaaddress.com

http://www.workamper.com


http://www.sowerministry.org


http://www.cookingshowhost.com

http://www.thumboctagonbarn.org

http://www.tracksrvtours.com

http://www.GiraffeG4.com

http://www.HappyTrailsRVcords.com

http://www.AdvancedRubberCoatings.com

http://www.toadstop.com

http://www.mrarvpark.com

http://www.rvbg.com



http://www.alaskarvadventures.com/

www.campjellystone.com


http://www.mailtravelservice.com


COMMERCIAL CORNER


COMMERCIAL CORNER

2006 F350 DIESEL KING RANCH AUTO,4 DR Dually, GPS, 60K mi, alloy wheels.Tow package & hitches.$29.9K. 623-221-2005.

2005 RAM LARIAT DIESEL DUALLY,6 SPD MANUAL, GPS, 62K mi, new tires,Amsoil oil. Tow package & hitches.$27.9K. 623-202-9299.

V-10 DIESEL TOUAREG SUV, 7K LB TOW RATING,310 HP, 550 Torq, 4 X 4, air ride,GPS, std wheels, 38K mi. $29.9K. 623-451-7121.

TOW VEHICLE/TRAILER PACKAGES FOR SALE

2006 M2 330 HP auto & 36' Teton RoyalTrk-23K mi, GPS, lthr, Alpine snd, alarm.RV-7.5KW gen, inverter, solar, sat, king,hy brk, hy level, arctic ins. 623-451-7121.

TRAVEL TRAILERS & FIFTH-WHEELS FOR SALE

NEW 2011 MOBILE SUITES 36 TKSB4: Only $78.9KNew units-Loaded. Cust order avail at no chg.Guar Best Price! More info at 865-521-9112.View Full Line of New/Used Units. www.rvs4less.net

AVOID SALES TAX ON RVs AND VEHICLESCall to speak to a licensed MT attorney about setting up an LLC. 10+ years of experience. Heggen Law Office, P. C., Missoula, MT www.heggenlawoffice.com 888-777-5032

Let us help you BUY YOUR RV ... TAX FREE! We guarantee BEST service and priceReceive $100 Gas Card & FREE Mail Fwding Save Thousands of $$ Today! 888.430.3388 Best in the business. www.MontanaRV.net

TOURSGood Sam Samborees and CaraventuresWhether your RV travels take you to Alaska,Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, New England, the Kentucky Derby, a NASCAR race, or to America’sNational Parks, the Good Sam Club has a grouptravel package for you. Make new friends while youtravel in the comfort of your RV on our fully guidedtours. Call us toll-free at 1-800-829-5140 or visit us online at www.goodsamclubrvtours.comto find out more about these and the many othertours offered by the Good Sam Club.

ADVENTURE CARAVANS RV TOURS & RALLIESMore Days! Save $$$ More Events!Free 86-page catalog (800) 872-7897 www.adventurecaravans.comExperience the Adventure, We’ll do the Rest!

CHOSEN BY DISCRIMINATING RVERS SINCE 1975!!Drive the Alcan to America’s Last Frontier,envision yourself on Nova Scotia’s miles of coastal drives. Cross the border to sunny Mexico. Celebrate Mardi Gras. Experience Grand Canyon, Glacier, Pacific NW, Great Lakes, Branson, S. Africa, New Zealand/Australia.All arrangements, including RV parks, by Tracks RV Tours! **Free Catalog** www.tracksrvtours.com, 800-351-6053!

WORLDWIDE RV TOURS AND RALLIESMexico, Canada, Alaska, Overseas & USA. Pasadena Rose Parade, Kentucky Derby Albuquerque Balloon Calgary StampedeCall for FREE Tour magazine 800-952-8496 OR, online “E-zine” at www.fantasyrvtours.com

ALASKA RV CARAVAN TOURS: 800-842-7764 www.rvalaska.net, Alaskan guide, 16-18 rig limit,dates, events. #1 per AARP trip of a lifetime. Repair, security, VHF radios, narration, medical, lectures, WiFi, fuel discounts. Pet Services.

TOW VEHICLES FOR SALE

FL-70 TOTER Cum 330 HP, 7spd manual,Carpet & mauve lthr int, rr seat/bed,exc tires/Alcoa’s, lg tool storage, stretchair cab-seat-susp-hitch, 129K mi, $29,900.623-451-7121.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLESWANTED

DONATE RVS, BOATS, PLANES, CAR/TRUCKS, REAL ESTATE, SECURITIES or other real property. Receive an IRS tax receipt from a registered charity. International Ministry, 800-871-1962. Email [email protected]

RV RESORT LOT RENTALS

THE ULTIMATE MOTOR COACH RESORTOUTDOOR RESORT INDIOClass A Luxury central to sunny Palm Springs.Tennis, golf, pickleball, Activity Director.1-800-892-2992 www.orindio.com

RV SPACES FOR RENTRV SPACE FOR RENT. Must be 55 or older in Bellflower, CA. Small cat or dog under 20 lbs,okay. Close to all freeways, beaches & mtns. At least 1 month stay required. Pool table, pool.Call (562) 867-3227.

SPACES FOR RENT—FULL-SERVICE RV PARK$340 per month. Quiet & secluded. Pool, spa, volleyball, tennis court. Great location midway between Orange Co. & San Diego in CA. RV storage. (951) 674-8204. ehrvpark.com

SERVICESMONTANA LLC’S ONLY $399*SAVE THOUSANDS — PAY NO SALES TAX! Montana LLC’s our Specialty — Lowest Rates ONLY $399.00* plus state fees and license plateswww.RVLLC.com or Call 888-929-4424

ACTION SERVICES, LLCConsult a Licensed Montana AttorneyNo State Sales Tax & Low License FeesFor Professional Service Call 800-481-0013 www.actionservices-mt.com

#1 IN SALES TAX SAVINGSPay no sales tax on your next RV. We have helpedclients legally save $1000s over the past 12 yrs.Call Mountain States Consulting 800-565-4504& talk to a CPA for professional, friendly service or visit us on the web at www.rvtax.com

PAY NO SALES TAX ON VEHICLESLet us explain how we can legally help you We’ve helped thousands in the last 11 years Call one of our three Montana Attorneys Bennett Law Office, P.C., Missoula, MT www.bennettlawofficepc.com 866-543-5803

TAX FREE RV — YOUR TAX SAVINGS EXPERTSWe will show you how to save thousands.The best RV tax package in Montana.Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!888-441-5741 — www.taxfreerv.com

WANTEDHave Cash, Will TravelFor 1998 and newer diesel coaches.www.rvgone.comNationwide Pick Up. Toll Free 1-800-669-1807.

$ CASH $ TOP DOLLAR PAID for late-model motorhomes. All makes and models. No hassles. For instant cash call Keith Roy (toll-free) at 1-888-227-4078, PEDATA RV CENTER.

WE BUY MOTORHOMES2000 & NEWER - PAID FOR OR NOTCASH Payment & NATIONWIDE Pick Up Contact Bill Fishfader @ 1-509-993-0321.RVs NORTHWEST • SPOKANE, WA

PACKRAT STORAGE — BUYS RVs Specializing in Class B, C RVs as well as TOTERHOMES. Not Picky! Cash for Referrals. Nationwide Pickup. 1-877-520-MINI www.packratsa.com

2011 - 1999 MOTORHOMES WANTED Nationwide — Gas or DieselFree Appraisals — No HasslesCall (813) 783-4000 or 888-783-4009 for Instant CashMotorhomeFinders.com

SELLING!??? Instant cash for your 2002 - current Motorhome. All models Top$$ + Quick pickup Call Joe Punzi 888-829-0254 ext. 166 or 831-458-6166 (direct). 100s of Happy Customersover the last 40 years! North Bay Ford RV

#1 CASH RV BUYER $$Specializing In Short Sales! Owe More Than Your RV is Worth? Tired of High Payments? Need Cash Fast? Call Now for a Free Appraisal! Toll Free: 888-870-3989 BIG SKY LIQUIDATION

$$ CASH FOR YOUR MOTORHOME! $$Buying ’02 model year & newer motorhomes! FREE Nationwide PickupCall Jim Cash Toll Free — 866-687-2274 www.usedrvpros.com • La Mesa RV Center

RECREATIONAL VEHICLESFOR SALELIST YOUR RV!SHOP FOR AN RV!THOUSANDS OF VIEWERSBUYERS WAITING!••• www.RVclearinghouse.com •••

RV REGISTRYwww.rvregistry.comMotorhomes, Trailers & Fifth WheelsFor Sale by OwnersNo Sales CommissionsBuyers/Sellers 800-546-8457

$10 MAILBOX RENTALS — South DakotaVehicle Reg. — Low 3% S.D. Sales TaxNo State Income Tax, No Veh InspectionsCall Toll Free 1-800-419-1690 Visa/MCVisit us at www.yourbestaddress.com

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL STREET ADDRESS INVEST - BANK - Driver License - VOTE $$$ for NURSES-SOWERS-FMCA-GOOD SAM1 yr and LIFETIME Accts w/FREE POSTAGE $$ NO St Income Tax, Vehicle Inspect or App Fee LET US REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE Fast, Reliable, Flexible, Private TX or FL www.fastforwardremail.com 866-624-5523

AMERICAS-MAILBOX Forwarding in SDSave $$$/NEW Monthly Rates! NO State Income TaxNO Wheel Tax/NO Safety Inspection/NO HasslesVery Low RV Reg. & Insurance 866-747-3700www.Americas-Mailbox.com/HW Call us first!

Need your mail to follow you? Call us! Travelers Remail Association since 1978No state income tax, Vehicle Reg., TX Residency,Low rates www.tramail.net or 800-666-6710

SOUTH DAKOTA the BEST ALTERNATIVE• MAIL forwarding • LOW vehicle tax• NO State income tax • NO State inheritance tax ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES 800-477-2664SD’s Oldest & Largest Mail Forwarding Company www.alternativeresources.net

MOTORHOME PARTSwww.WinnebagoParts.comParts for all Winnebago/Itasca products& LeSharo/Phasar. Body/crash parts,decals & glass 1975 to present. Personal service at fair prices for our customersworldwide. M-F, 8-5 Central time. 800-933-7742

WINNEBAGO, ITASCA, FLEETWOOD—-PARTSContact Robert with Year & Serial #.8-5:30 Central M-F, Sat. 8-3 HARRISON RV LAND, JEFFERSON, IA1-800-397-8206, [email protected]

MOTORHOMES FOR SALE

QUALITY USED DIESEL PUSHERS & GAS RV’SGood Selection with 2 yr/24K WarrantyGREAT PRICES - Trades Welcome, Call Dan:719-337-1132, Intermountaincoach.com

MOTORHOMES WANTED

$ RV BUYERS OF AMERICA $WE BUY ALL MAKES AND MODELSFREE NATIONWIDE PICKUPTOLL FREE 888-782-8987 www.rvbuyersusa.comWE WILL BEAT ANY DEALER PRICE

Highways’ Commercial Corner section of

classified ads is designed exclusively for private

parties or businesses that have items or serv-

ices to sell, promote or rent that are not of

a personal nature. For example, RV Parks,

Campgrounds, Condominium Complexes, Real

Estate, Small Businesses for Sale, Services

Offered, Help Wanted, Positions Wanted and

Business Opportunities all represent categories

appropriate for Commercial Corner. Any item

offered for rent is considered commercial in

nature. Commercial Corner advertisers are

not required to be Good Sam Club members.

When submitting ad copy, please follow these

guidelines:

Ad: $62 per line, five-line minimum, 40

characters per line (counting each letter,

punctuation mark and space).

Photo: $75/black-and-white, $95/color

(limited to RVs and real estate).

Logo or trademark: $95/black-and-white,

$115/color (no category limitations).

Boldface: $15 per line for boldface.

Red type: $50 for all red type.

Discounts: 5% for a six-issue schedule,

10% for full-year schedule.

Blind-box service: Additional $15 per

issue. We will assign a blind-box number

to your ad and we will forward responses

to you on a daily basis. The blind-box ad-

dress takes one full line of space at

$62/line.

Ad copy submission and deadlines:

Copy must be printed, typed and mailed or

e-mailed. Ad closing is approximately two

months prior to cover date. The May 2011

issue closes on February 18; the June 2011

issue closes March 18.

Mail and e-mail: Send ad copy and a

check, money order or Visa/MasterCard/

Discover number, expiration date and signa-

ture to Commercial Corner, Highways, P.O.

Box 8510, Ventura, California 93002-9912.

Credit-card orders may be faxed to

805-667-4379, Attention: Joyce Reweda,

or e-mailed to [email protected]

(please put “Commercial Corner” in the

subject line).

Questions: Joyce Reweda, 805-667-4392,

or e-mail [email protected].

RATES AND INFORMATION

”“We would never have had this success withoutour ads in Highways. -- Beverly Luedtke, BROKER, RONAN, MONTANAfor shopping with our advertisers

THANK YOU


http://www.rvs4less.net

http://www.heggenlawoffice.com

http://www.MontanaRV.net

http://www.goodsamclubrvtours.com

http://www.adventurecaravans.com

http://www.tracksrvtours.com

http://www.fantasyrvtours.com

http://www.rvalaska.net


http://www.orindio.com

http://www.RVLLC.com

http://www.actionservices-mt.com

http://www.rvtax.com

http://www.bennettlawofficepc.com

http://www.taxfreerv.com

http://www.rvgone.com

http://www.packratsa.com

http://www.usedrvpros.com

http://www.RVclearinghouse.com

http://www.rvregistry.com

http://www.yourbestaddress.com

http://www.fastforwardremail.com

http://www.Americas-Mailbox.com/HW

http://www.tramail.net

http://www.alternativeresources.net

http://www.WinnebagoParts.com


http://www.harrisonrv.com

http://www.rvbuyersusa.com




http://www.Intermountaincoach.com

http://www.MotorhomeFinders.com

http://www.ehrvpark.com

TRADING POST ADVERTISER INDEX

ADVERTISER PAGEBanks Power ...............................................................................12Coach House...............................................................................14Commercial Corner.................................................................41–42Consumer Cellular .........................................................................5Dealers & Destinations ................................................................41Direct Sat TV .................................................................................7Good Sam Emergency Road Service ...............................................33Good Sam Extended Service Plan ..................................................36Good Sam Tours ............................................................................9Good Sam VIP Provided by GMAC Insurance...................................37Good Sam Visa Card....................................................................38Harbor Freight Tools .....................................................................11Insurance Central ........................................................................21 Itasca ...........................................................................................3KZ RV............................................................................................6Keystone RV..................................................................................8Microsoft Streets & Trips................................................................6Phoenix USA................................................................................19The Rally .....................................................................................21Roadtrek Motorhomes ...................................................................7RV Buyers Guide..........................................................................41RV Direct.....................................................................................18RV Marketplace ...........................................................................40RV World of Nokomis....................................................................34Sea Eagle .....................................................................................8St. Louis Church ..........................................................................14Trading Post ................................................................................43Transfer Flow ...............................................................................14U.S. Rare Coin & Bullion Reserve..................................................20Vinegar Anniversary Book .............................................................19Winnebago Industries.....................................................................9

While every effort is made to maintain accuracy and completeness, last-minute changes may occasionally result in omissions or errors.

MOTORHOMES FOR SALE

2004 PURSUIT 35', 25K MI, 2 LG SLIDES, xlnt cond, 2 AC, 2 furn, driver door, auto levelers,dr-side awns, screen room, backup camera, tow pkg, sat dm, non-smoke, CB, many extras.$39,000. 772-398-7541 FL.

2001 MONACO DIPLOMAT 40' DIESEL PUSHER 330 Cummins, 2 slides, 2 TVs, VHS/DVD, s sound,conv oven, 4 dr frig/freezer, icemaker, W/D, autoawn, slide-out tray, full shower, one owner, no pet/smoke, esp, 27K miles, $85K. 540-891-4346 VA.

2006 WINNEBAGO TOUR 39.9', 350 CAT DSL 25K mi, 4 slides, fireplace, W/D, dishwasher,leather, sat TV, outside TV, 4 door refrig,micro/conv, more upgrades, $140,000. 760-694-3799 or 661-964-7849.

2005 FLEETWOOD REVOLUTION LE 40', 14K MI 3 slides, 400 CAT, loaded, stored inside, to trade for vacation home in South or Southwest or sell outright, value $189,000. 313-882-4371.

NORTHERN ARKANSAS, 30 X 40 RV INSULATED BARNon 13 ACRES. Full hookups, 50 amp plugs. Full 8 x 10 bath, 14 x 40 patio, possible future apt, upper dormer windows w/view of Ozark mtns,famous fishing area, $115,000. 312-718-7096.

VOTED BEST PARK IN FLORIDA. FT MYERS beautiful 55+ senior park. Unique 18 circles eachw/a social pavillion. Pool, hot tub, lake. Too manyamenities/activities to list. $50K. DVD available.Call Mike 239-992-9378.

WATERFRONT LOT ON LG LAKE MARGARET w/great fishing, excellent views, gated communityw/2 clubhouses, heated pools, fitness center,movie theater, activities. Polk City, Florida.$139,900. 617-529-9366.

FLORENCE, ARIZONA 2 deeded 35x50 RV/park model landscaped lotsw/water, elec & sewer. 1 w/shed and concretepad, $28,500. 1 graveled w/palm trees, $26,[email protected] or call Dave 360-356-5264

RV Lot Naples FL, REDUCED $40,000:shed, landscape, lots of items included,low maintenance and [email protected] 269-372-2425 View: www.holidaymanorco-op.com 77 Kumquat

BRANSON MO LOG CABIN W/FULL RV HOOK-UP55+ retirement resort, 3 BR, 2 BA, w/loft. Clubhouse, pool. Low POA dues. 2 mi TablerockLake, marina nestled in OZ mtns. $124.9K. 417-861-3385 [email protected]

KETTLE FALLS, WA Custom home on 20 acres.Water view, 4 BR/4 BA, 4300 sf, EZ access, 2 RVstations, RV barn w/loft/shop. Near Nat’l Forest,hunting, fishing, wildlife. $425,000. Owner/[email protected] 509-675-3594

THREE ACRES AND SMALL NEW HOME CLOSE TOTOWN. RV set-up. LaGrange, TX. 979-242-2888.Out buildings, small fruit orchard, garden, young pecan trees, yard fully landscaped. [email protected] $250K.

BEAUTIFUL 30 ACRE HORSE FARM IN LAGRANGE,KY. 2 very nice homes, 2 seven stall horse barns,wire mesh fencing on pastures. Prestigious area!May divide. Call Bruce Duncan 502-222-1435 or502-426-2856.

LOTS FOR SALE

NORTHWEST OF SPOKANE, 20+ ACRES Water, underground utilities, paved road. Lake Roosevelt views, 5 minutes to boat launch.Trees, deer, wildlife, solitude. $79,500 terms. Rick 509-722-3949 WA.

CAMPGROUND MEMBERSHIPS FOR SALETRAVEL RESORTS OF AMERICA COAST TO COASTMembership. Sale price $5,000 or obo, plus transfer fees. Dues paid til November 2011. 704-481-0925.

HOMES FOR SALE

BEND, OR, 2500 SF + 2 BAY MH BARN by owner, snowbird ready, 3 (pos) 4 BR, 2.5 BA, 3/4 ac, master suite, office/media, den,32 x 40 barn/shop. $445K. Photos [email protected] or 541-771-9111

15 MIN E OF PALM SPRINGS, CA. LUXURIOUS ESTATEw/50' RV garage! Full hookups, workshop, 3 sepgarages, 5 BR/4.5 BA, 4,736 sq ft on .61 acre.Custom built, impressive, unique! Near BermudaDunes CC. Asking $1.695M. Call 760-333-4601.

Trading Post classifieds are restricted to ads placed by individual Good Sam Club members who are current with their dues. Ads must be for items that are personally owned and listed for sale or trade, notfor rental. All other classifieds will be considered forplacement in the Commercial Corner section.The following are inappropriate for placement in Trading Post:•Ads for commercial products or services.•Ads for multi-unit apartments, townhome complexesand more than 10 acres of unimproved real property.•Ads soliciting the usage of property, whether commercial or residential. •Ads from commercial agents.•Ads for employment or employees.•Ads for the exchange of one service for another, regardless of whether money changes hands. ADVERTISING RATES: $18/line, 5-line minimum. Bold-face type is an additional $10 for the first line,$20 extra for the entire ad. Red type is an additional $25.PHOTOS: $60/black-and-white, $80/color, one per ad.BLIND-BOX SERVICE: For $15 per issue, a blind-boxnumber will be assigned to your ad, and we will forward responses to you.When submitting ad copy, please follow these guidelines:•Mail or fax your ad on our printed form, use your own stationery or send an e-mail.•5-line minimum, 40 characters per line, counting all letters, spaces, punctuation marks and numbers.• Indicate under which category you’d like your ad to be listed.•Note your Good Sam Club membership number and expiration date.MAIL ad copy and a check, money order or Visa/MasterCard/Discover number to:Trading Post, Highways, P.O. Box 8510, Ventura, California 93002-9912.E-MAIL credit-card orders to Trina Nissley at [email protected] credit card orders to (574) 262-4798, Attention: Trading Post. If you have a question, Trina can be reached at (574) 262-4706.

RATES AND INFORMATION

Check Run for______issues Total $________________

Visa/MC/Discover #: __________________________ Exp._____

Signature________________________________________________

Good Sam #____________________________________Exp._____

Name: ________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Please check here if you would like your state or province abbreviation to appear in your ad, following your phone number.

The May issue closes February 18. The June issue closes March 18.Cost: $18 per line, 5-line minimum, plus $60 per photo, $80 for color. Bold:$10 for first line, $20 to bold entire ad. Add $25 for ad to appear in red.40 characters per line, counting all letters, numbers, punctuation and spaces.Specify category_______________________________________

MAIL: Trading Post, Highways, P.O. Box 8510, Ventura, CA 93002FAX: (574) 262-4798, Attention: Trading PostE-MAIL: [email protected], Attention: Trading Post

TRADING POST

TRADING POST: As a benefit of membership, Good Sam Club members may advertise personalitems for sale in the Trading Postclassified ad section of Highways.

Highways does not knowingly accept ads from businesses in the Trading Post section.If you reach a business when answering a Trading Post ad, please con tact the Adver-tising Department at (805) 667-4100.


www.goodsamclub.comMember Services: 800-234-3450 Life Member Services: 800-964-4748 Good Sam Samborees: 800-829-5140 Good Sam Caraventures: 800-664-9145 Good Sam Cruises: 888-893-4628Continued Service Plan: 888-787-7683

Emergency Assistance Plus: 800-782-7267 ERS Plan: 800-905-9911 ERS Customer Service: 800-701-1406 Good Sam Visa Card: 866-269-4450 Health and Life Insurance Plans:800-782-7267 VIP Insurance Plan: 888-514-1116

CONTACT GOOD SAM



http://www.holidaymanorco-op.com











<<Cat Got Your Tongue? The pair of curious pets in the motorhome on the left are taunting you to guess the location of this scenic North American viewpoint. Think youcan let the cat out of the bag? If so, you’ll bein the running to make $50—now that’s a lotof catnip. Simply send an e-mail identifyingthe photo’s location and the state or provinceto [email protected]’t forget to include your name and contactinformation. On March 1, we’ll pick our $50winner at random from among the correct en-tries. Look for the location—and the winner—in the May issue of Highways.

>>Desert Bloom. Good Sam member Dave Reed from Prince George, British Columbia, won$50 after correctly guessing the location of the November–December 2010 issue’s Where’sGood Sam photo, reprinted on the right. The trailer with the Good Sam sticker on the windowis in Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park in Green River. Jann Todd of Florence, Colorado, earned$50 for capturing the image during a camping trip. Now it’s your turn to get paid. Just take adigital photo of your RV in a scenic spot with the Good Sam sticker clearly displayed. E-mailthe image to [email protected] and be sure to include your name and contact information. If your photo’s selected for publication, you’ll earn $50.

WHERE’S GOOD SAM IS NOW ON FACEBOOKTo identify more photos from members, go to www.facebook.com/thegoodsamclub

WHERE’S

GOOD SA M

?

PH

OT

OC

ON

TE

ST

http://www.facebook.com/thegoodsamclub





Documents

THE OTHER SIDE OFKANSAS Long Arm of Alaska RVing and Taxesd7wompu62zbx1.cloudfront.net/digitaleditions/highways/2121895_Di… · 2 Highways FEBRUARY 2011 table of contents 3 WHERE